Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lawrence, KS
VS
Modesto, CA
🏆 Lawrence leads 13 of 23 categories
Lawrence
Kansas
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,834
Violent Crime Index
121⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
95,103
Modesto
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,375 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High
Population
218,308 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lawrence, KS
Pros
Homes cost $135k less ($247,300 vs $381,800)
Rent averages $459/mo less ($1,038 vs $1,497)
30% less violent crime than Modesto
More college-educated — 55.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.6 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
Median income trails Modesto by $13,541/yr
Modesto, CA
Pros
Households earn $13,541 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 38°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $381,800
Higher rents — median is $1,497/mo
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 14% higher than Lawrence
Key Differences at a Glance
Lawrence
Cost of Living
14% cheaper
COL index 91.0 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
Lawrence
Violent Crime
30% lower
461.5 vs 655.7 per 100k
Lawrence
Median Home Value
$135k less
$247,300 vs $381,800
Lawrence
Unemployment
2.6 pp lower
5.2% vs 7.8% unemployment
Modesto
Median Income
$13,541
$73,375 vs $59,834/yr
Modesto
Summer Heat
6.4°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 88.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lawrence, KS | Modesto, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.0 ✓ Cheaper | 105.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $247,300 ✓ Lower | $381,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,038 ✓ Lower | $1,497⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,834 | $73,375 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter | 29.4 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 11.7% ✓ Higher | 6.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 114⚠ High ✓ Safer | 150⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 121⚠ High ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer | 115⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (116) ✓ Better | C- (65) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 55.5% ✓ Higher | 19.7% |
| High School or Higher | 95.9% ✓ Higher | 83.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lawrence | Modesto City Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.3°F | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.6°F | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.4" | 12.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 10.4" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 95,103 | 218,308 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 34.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.7% | 57.7% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.3% | 26.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.4% | 13.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lawrence's cost of living index is 91.0 vs Modesto's 105.0 (US average = 100).
Lawrence is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lawrence leads 13 of 23 categories. Lawrence wins 13 and Modesto wins 10. 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 Modesto or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($247,300 vs $381,800 median home), income ($59,834 vs $73,375), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lawrence, KS and Modesto, CA are about 1,394 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.