Head-to-Head · City Comparison
El Monte, CA
VS
Lawrence, KS
🏆 Lawrence leads 12 of 23 categories
El Monte
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$59,929 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
111⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
108,682 ✓ Larger
Lawrence
Kansas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,834
Violent Crime Index
121⚠ High
Population
95,103
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
El Monte, CA
Pros
8% less violent crime than Lawrence
Milder winters — January highs near 69°F vs 38°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $597,200
Higher rents — median is $1,605/mo
Cost of living runs 25% higher than Lawrence
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Lawrence, KS
Pros
Homes cost $350k less ($247,300 vs $597,200)
Rent averages $567/mo less ($1,038 vs $1,605)
More college-educated — 55.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
25% cheaper overall cost of living than El Monte
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.8 pts lower (5.2%)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
Cons
Violent crime (461.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Key Differences at a Glance
El Monte
Violent Crime
8% lower
423.2 vs 461.5 per 100k
Lawrence
Cost of Living
25% cheaper
COL index 91.0 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Lawrence
Median Home Value
$350k less
$247,300 vs $597,200
Lawrence
Unemployment
1.8 pp lower
5.2% vs 7.0% unemployment
Lawrence
Summer Heat
3.1°F warmer
July avg high 88.6°F vs 85.5°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | El Monte, CA | Lawrence, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High | 91.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $597,200⚠ High | $247,300 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,605⚠ High | $1,038 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,929 ✓ Higher | $59,834 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0%⚠ High | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.3 min⚠ High | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 4.9% | 11.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 106⚠ High ✓ Safer | 114⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer | 121⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 98 ✓ Safer | 103⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (66) | A- (116) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.2:1 | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 13.7% | 55.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 63.9% | 95.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Mountain View Elementary | Lawrence |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 68.6°F ✓ Warmer | 38.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 85.5°F | 88.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 15.7" ✓ Drier | 39.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 10.4" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 108,682 ✓ Larger | 95,103 |
| Median Age | 37.4 ✓ Older | 28.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.6% | 43.7% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.4% ✓ More | 16.3% |
| Over 65 | 14.6% ✓ More | 12.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
El Monte's cost of living index is 115.5 vs Lawrence's 91.0 (US average = 100).
Lawrence is 24% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lawrence leads 12 of 23 categories. El Monte wins 11 and Lawrence wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from El Monte to Lawrence or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($597,200 vs $247,300 median home), income ($59,929 vs $59,834), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
El Monte, CA and Lawrence, KS are about 1,305 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.