Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lawrence, KS
VS
Philadelphia, PA
🏆 Lawrence leads 14 of 23 categories
Lawrence
Kansas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,834 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
121⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
95,103
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$57,537
Violent Crime Index
239⚠ High
Population
1,593,208 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lawrence, KS
Pros
49% less violent crime than Philadelphia
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.4 pts lower (5.2%)
Commutes run 13 min shorter each way
Rent averages $212/mo less ($1,038 vs $1,250)
More college-educated — 55.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Philadelphia
Cons
Violent crime (461.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Philadelphia, PA
Pros
Homes cost $32k less ($215,500 vs $247,300)
Cons
Violent crime (908.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Lawrence
Property crime (4548.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.6% vs 5.2%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Lawrence
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 91.0 vs 103.5 (100 = US avg)
Lawrence
Median Income
$2,297
$59,834 vs $57,537/yr
Lawrence
Violent Crime
49% lower
461.5 vs 908.7 per 100k
Lawrence
Unemployment
3.4 pp lower
5.2% vs 8.6% unemployment
Philadelphia
Median Home Value
$32k less
$215,500 vs $247,300
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lawrence, KS | Philadelphia, PA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.0 ✓ Cheaper | 103.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $247,300 | $215,500 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,038 ✓ Lower | $1,250 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,834 ✓ Higher | $57,537 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter | 32.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 11.7% | 13.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 114⚠ High ✓ Safer | 230⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 121⚠ High ✓ Safer | 239⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer | 217⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (116) ✓ Better | B- (92) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 55.5% ✓ Higher | 33.6% |
| High School or Higher | 95.9% ✓ Higher | 86.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lawrence | Philadelphia City SD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.3°F | 41.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.6°F | 89.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.4" ✓ Drier | 50.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 10.4" ✓ Less | 16.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 95,103 | 1,593,208 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 34.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.7% | 52.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.3% | 21.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.4% | 14.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lawrence's cost of living index is 91.0 vs Philadelphia's 103.5 (US average = 100).
Lawrence is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lawrence leads 14 of 23 categories. Lawrence wins 14 and Philadelphia wins 9. 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 Philadelphia or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($247,300 vs $215,500 median home), income ($59,834 vs $57,537), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lawrence, KS and Philadelphia, PA are about 1,074 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.