2026 Compare Cities Overview:
Rochester, MN vs West Lafayette, IN

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Highlights
Are people in West Lafayette older or younger than people in Rochester?
- The Median Age in West Lafayette is 14.6 years younger than in Rochester.

Are housing costs cheaper in West Lafayette or Rochester?
- West Lafayette housing costs are 4.8% more expensive than Rochester housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, West Lafayette or Rochester?
- The average commute for residents of West Lafayette is 0.5 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Rochester.

Things to do in Rochester?
Rochester, Minnesota is a vibrant city located in the heart of the Midwest. Home to the renowned Mayo Clinic and University of Minnesota-Rochester, this city offers plenty to explore. From its variety of shopping options to its multitude of museums and cultural attractions, visitors can experience something unique. Visitors can also take advantage of the area's parks and trails for a breath of fresh air and connect with nature. Whether you're looking for an educational experience or a leisurely weekend getaway, Rochester has something for everyone!

Things to do in West Lafayette?
West Lafayette, IN is a vibrant city located in Tippecanoe County in north-central Indiana. Home to Purdue University, the community of West Lafayette offers its residents access to world-class education facilities and a thriving economy. The area features several parks and recreational areas perfect for outdoor activities such as biking along the Wabash River or playing baseball at Howard Park. Residents also appreciate being surrounded by a variety of restaurants, unique shops, art galleries and other amenities that make living here so enjoyable. Whether you’re looking to explore nature’s beauty or just want to experience a lively college town atmosphere, West Lafayette is sure to please!

 Rochester, MNWest Lafayette, INUnited States
 Population  Unlock44,515329,725,481
 Median Income$79,159  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock21.538.4
 Avg. Home Price$291,900  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock2.9%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time16.15  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Rochester    31 Reviews

Roch (and Minnesota) is a great place IF you live off the govt dole; subsidize undesirable things (through generous welfare benefits, lax law enforcement and sentences,  More

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Rochester is very vanilla. As a progressive, this place is not good. The area leans conservative and you'll see Trump signs everywhere... so that tells you the type of  More

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Over 6 years ago

I moved here over 20 years ago from California and I was in shock for the first couple of years that people actually lived in such a cold climate! Winter starts around  More

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Reviews for West Lafayette    11 Reviews

I am originally from Greencastle, Indiana, a nice friendly rural town and home to DePauw University. Presently, I live in West Lafayette, Indiana, due to my having been  More

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Over 12 years ago

It's a nice small town. It's too bad it's not closer to Indy. I think I would like it here  More

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Over 15 years ago

They have good schools, parks and always have events to  More

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