Signals
Lafayette-West Lafayette
Augusta-Waterville
Growth
62 · Top 31%
vs67 · Top 24%
Climate
62 · Bottom 34%
vs57 · Bottom 18%
Physical resilience
81 · Top 13%
vs77 · Top 19%
Housing affordability
85 · Bottom 26%
vs95 · Top 49%
Access
64 · Bottom 27%
vs63 · Bottom 26%
Economic stability
53 · Top 48%
vs53 · Top 47%
Measured values
| Metric | Lafayette-West Lafayette | Augusta-Waterville | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 226,805 | 126,808 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $62,011 | $69,077 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $33,768 | $38,597 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 138/sq mi | 146/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $226,100 | $238,200 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,107 | $992 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 58.0% | 73.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.0% | 31.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 17.7% | 11.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 1,868 | 517 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 8.2 | 4.1 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -50.7% | 7.0% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 84°F | 80°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 18°F | 12°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 37.0" | 41.8" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 65 mi | 53 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 20.9 min | 26.5 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 30.8 | 43.7 | 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
Lafayette-West Lafayette
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Augusta-Waterville
Elevated or high exposure: ice storm, hurricane.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Lafayette-West Lafayette
69
Your Score
72
Area Score
Augusta-Waterville
69
Your Score
—
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN Metro Area · Augusta-Waterville, ME Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology