Lawrence, KS August 2025 · Shannon Beat / CC BY 4.0Sacking-lawrence · Unknown authorUnknown author / Public domainBattle of Lawrence · Harper's weekly / Public domainSherman Enderton Quantrill Raid sketch · Sherman Enderton / Public domain
Lawrence is a mid-sized city of 95,103 in Kansas, with a median household income of $59,834
and a 5.2% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 91 (US average = 100), which is
9% below the national average.
Strengths:
Lawrence stands out for an affordable cost of living, solid school ratings (A-), a well-educated population, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Lawrence is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Lawrence city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 91.0
Lawrence's overall cost of living index is 91.0,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Lawrence costs roughly 9% less than the average American city.
Metric
Lawrence, KS
National Avg
Median Home Value
$247,300
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$1,038
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
43.7%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$59,834
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Near National Average
Lawrence's violent crime rate is 461.5 per 100,000 residents
— 21% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
461.5 /100k
Property Crime
2156.5 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Lawrence is served primarily by Lawrence.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.4:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Lawrence, KS
National Avg
School District
Lawrence
—
Elementary Schools
11
—
Middle Schools
4
—
High Schools
2
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
14.4:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
55.5%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
95.9%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Lawrence sees average highs of 38.3°F in January
and 88.6°F in July,
with 39.4 inches of annual precipitation
and 10.4 inches of snow per year.
Lawrence's cost of living index is 91, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Lawrence roughly 9% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $247,300 and median rent is $1,038/month.
Lawrence's violent crime rate is 461.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2156.5 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Lawrence are operated by Lawrence.
The district has 11 elementary, 4 middle, and 2 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.4:1. 55.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Lawrence, KS has a population of 95,103, a median household income of $59,834, and an unemployment rate of 5.2%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Lawrence averages 38.3°F in January and 88.6°F in July. Annual rainfall is 39.4 inches
with about 10.4 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Lawrence, KS is covered by 5 ZIP codes: 66049, 66046, 66044, 66047, 66045.
The population of Lawrence, Kansas is 95,103 with a median age of 28.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Lawrence: cost of living index 91 (100 = US average), median home $247,300, median household income $59,834, crime index 114 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Lawrence side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
