Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lawrence, KS
VS
Madison, WI
🏆 Madison leads 13 of 23 categories
Lawrence
Kansas
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,834
Violent Crime Index
121⚠ High
Population
95,103
Madison
Wisconsin
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.8
Median Household Income
$74,895 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
67 ✓ Safer
Population
268,516 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lawrence, KS
Pros
Homes cost $79k less ($247,300 vs $326,600)
Rent averages $253/mo less ($1,038 vs $1,291)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.0)
Milder winters — January highs near 38°F vs 28°F
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Madison
Cons
Violent crime (461.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Madison by $15,061/yr
Higher unemployment (5.2% vs 2.6%)
Madison, WI
Pros
45% less violent crime than Lawrence
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.6 pts lower (2.6%)
Households earn $15,061 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (256.0 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 58.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 89°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $326,600
Cost of living runs 5% higher than Lawrence
Key Differences at a Glance
Lawrence
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 91.0 vs 95.8 (100 = US avg)
Lawrence
Median Home Value
$79k less
$247,300 vs $326,600
Lawrence
Summer Heat
6.4°F warmer
July avg high 88.6°F vs 82.2°F
Madison
Median Income
$15,061
$74,895 vs $59,834/yr
Madison
Violent Crime
45% lower
256.0 vs 461.5 per 100k
Madison
Unemployment
2.6 pp lower
2.6% vs 5.2% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lawrence, KS | Madison, WI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.0 ✓ Cheaper | 95.8 |
| Median Home Value | $247,300 ✓ Lower | $326,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,038 ✓ Lower | $1,291 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,834 | $74,895 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High | 2.6% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter | 19.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.7% | 15.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 114⚠ High | 76 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 121⚠ High | 67 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 103⚠ High | 89 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (116) | A (124) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 | 11.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 55.5% | 58.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 95.9% ✓ Higher | 95.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lawrence | Madison Metropolitan School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.3°F ✓ Warmer | 27.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 88.6°F ✓ Warmer | 82.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.4" ✓ Drier | 39.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 10.4" ✓ Less | 38.5" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 95,103 | 268,516 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 31.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.7% | 47.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.3% ✓ More | 16.2% |
| Over 65 | 12.4% | 12.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lawrence's cost of living index is 91.0 vs Madison's 95.8 (US average = 100).
Lawrence is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Madison leads 13 of 23 categories. Lawrence wins 10 and Madison wins 13. 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 Lawrence to Madison or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($247,300 vs $326,600 median home), income ($59,834 vs $74,895), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lawrence, KS and Madison, WI are about 417 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.