Signals
Augusta-Waterville
Lafayette-West Lafayette
Growth
67 · Top 24%
vs62 · Top 31%
Climate
57 · Bottom 18%
vs62 · Bottom 34%
Physical resilience
77 · Top 19%
vs81 · Top 13%
Housing affordability
95 · Top 49%
vs85 · Bottom 26%
Access
63 · Bottom 26%
vs64 · Bottom 27%
Economic stability
53 · Top 47%
vs53 · Top 48%
Measured values
| Metric | Augusta-Waterville | Lafayette-West Lafayette | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,808 | 226,805 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $69,077 | $62,011 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $38,597 | $33,768 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 146/sq mi | 138/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $238,200 | $226,100 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $992 | $1,107 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 73.7% | 58.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.9% | 36.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 11.6% | 17.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 517 | 1,868 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 4.1 | 8.2 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 7.0% | -50.7% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 80°F | 84°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 12°F | 18°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 37.0" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 53 mi | 65 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 26.5 min | 20.9 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 43.7 | 30.8 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Augusta-Waterville
Elevated or high exposure: ice storm, hurricane.
Lafayette-West Lafayette
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Your best match
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Augusta-Waterville
69
Your Score
—
Area Score
Lafayette-West Lafayette
69
Your Score
72
Area Score
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Full profiles: Augusta-Waterville, ME Micro Area · Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology