Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lawrence, KS
VS
Odessa, TX
🏆 Odessa leads 13 of 21 categories
Lawrence
Kansas
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,834
Violent Crime Index
121⚠ High
Population
95,103
Odessa
Texas
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.1
Median Household Income
$71,293 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
83 ✓ Safer
Population
113,353 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lawrence, KS
Pros
More college-educated — 55.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Rent averages $244/mo less ($1,038 vs $1,282)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (5.2%)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.0)
Cooler summers — July highs near 89°F vs 94°F
Cons
Violent crime (461.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Odessa by $11,459/yr
Odessa, TX
Pros
31% less violent crime than Lawrence
Homes cost $54k less ($193,500 vs $247,300)
Households earn $11,459 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 38°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.1)
Cons
Higher unemployment (6.1% vs 5.2%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Lawrence
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 91.0 vs 92.1 (100 = US avg)
Lawrence
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
5.2% vs 6.1% unemployment
Odessa
Median Income
$11,459
$71,293 vs $59,834/yr
Odessa
Violent Crime
31% lower
316.3 vs 461.5 per 100k
Odessa
Median Home Value
$54k less
$193,500 vs $247,300
Odessa
Summer Heat
5.4°F warmer
July avg high 94.0°F vs 88.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lawrence, KS | Odessa, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.0 ✓ Cheaper | 92.1 |
| Median Home Value | $247,300 | $193,500 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,038 ✓ Lower | $1,282 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,834 | $71,293 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter | 23.0 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.7% ✓ Higher | 3.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 114⚠ High | 85 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 121⚠ High | 83 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 103⚠ High | 88 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (116) | — |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 55.5% ✓ Higher | 18.4% |
| High School or Higher | 95.9% ✓ Higher | 81.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lawrence | UTPB STEM ACADEMY |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.3°F | 56.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.6°F | 94.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.4" | 12.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 10.4" | 0.9" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 95,103 | 113,353 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 30.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.7% | 59.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.3% | 29.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.4% ✓ More | 9.9% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lawrence's cost of living index is 91.0 vs Odessa's 92.1 (US average = 100).
Lawrence is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Odessa leads 13 of 21 categories. Lawrence wins 8 and Odessa 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 Odessa or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($247,300 vs $193,500 median home), income ($59,834 vs $71,293), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lawrence, KS and Odessa, TX are about 631 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.