Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Irving, TX
VS
Lawrence, KS
🏆 Irving leads 12 of 23 categories
Irving
Texas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$76,686 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
72 ✓ Safer
Population
254,962 ✓ Larger
Lawrence
Kansas
11
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.
Irving, TX
Pros
40% less violent crime than Lawrence
Households earn $16,852 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (4.1%)
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 38°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,423/mo
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Lawrence
Lawrence, KS
Pros
Rent averages $385/mo less ($1,038 vs $1,423)
More college-educated — 55.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Irving
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.0)
Cooler summers — July highs near 89°F vs 96°F
Cons
Violent crime (461.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Irving by $16,852/yr
Higher unemployment (5.2% vs 4.1%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Irving
Median Income
$16,852
$76,686 vs $59,834/yr
Irving
Violent Crime
40% lower
275.4 vs 461.5 per 100k
Irving
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
4.1% vs 5.2% unemployment
Irving
Summer Heat
7.0°F warmer
July avg high 95.6°F vs 88.6°F
Lawrence
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 91.0 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Lawrence
Median Home Value
$12k less
$247,300 vs $259,500
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Irving, TX | Lawrence, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 91.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $259,500 | $247,300 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,423⚠ High | $1,038 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $76,686 ✓ Higher | $59,834 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.8 min | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 14.0% ✓ Higher | 11.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 85 ✓ Safer | 114⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 ✓ Safer | 121⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 105⚠ High | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (109) | A- (116) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.5:1 | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.5% | 55.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% | 95.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | IRVING ISD | Lawrence |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.5°F ✓ Warmer | 38.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.6°F ✓ Warmer | 88.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 37.0" ✓ Drier | 39.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.6" ✓ Less | 10.4" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 254,962 ✓ Larger | 95,103 |
| Median Age | 32.4 ✓ Older | 28.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 43.7% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 26.4% ✓ More | 16.3% |
| Over 65 | 8.3% | 12.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Irving's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Lawrence's 91.0 (US average = 100).
Lawrence is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Irving leads 12 of 23 categories. Irving wins 12 and Lawrence wins 11. 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 Irving to Lawrence or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($259,500 vs $247,300 median home), income ($76,686 vs $59,834), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Irving, TX and Lawrence, KS are about 432 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.