Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lawrence, KS
VS
Portsmouth, VA
🏆 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
Portsmouth
Virginia
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4
Median Household Income
$57,154
Violent Crime Index
198⚠ High
Population
97,384 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lawrence, KS
Pros
39% less violent crime than Portsmouth
More college-educated — 55.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.4 pts lower (5.2%)
Rent averages $187/mo less ($1,038 vs $1,225)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.0)
Cons
Violent crime (461.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Portsmouth, VA
Pros
Homes cost $34k less ($213,300 vs $247,300)
Milder winters — January highs near 49°F vs 38°F
Cons
Violent crime (752.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3860.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.6% vs 5.2%)
Cost of living runs 6% higher than Lawrence
Key Differences at a Glance
Lawrence
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 91.0 vs 97.4 (100 = US avg)
Lawrence
Median Income
$2,680
$59,834 vs $57,154/yr
Lawrence
Violent Crime
39% lower
461.5 vs 752.4 per 100k
Lawrence
Unemployment
1.4 pp lower
5.2% vs 6.6% unemployment
Portsmouth
Median Home Value
$34k less
$213,300 vs $247,300
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lawrence, KS | Portsmouth, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.0 ✓ Cheaper | 97.4 |
| Median Home Value | $247,300 | $213,300 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,038 ✓ Lower | $1,225 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,834 ✓ Higher | $57,154 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter | 23.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.7% ✓ Higher | 6.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 114⚠ High ✓ Safer | 192⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 121⚠ High ✓ Safer | 198⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer | 184⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (116) ✓ Better | B- (94) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 | 13.7:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 55.5% ✓ Higher | 21.2% |
| High School or Higher | 95.9% ✓ Higher | 89.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lawrence | Portsmouth City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.3°F | 48.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.6°F ✓ Warmer | 88.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.4" ✓ Drier | 50.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 10.4" | 3.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 95,103 | 97,384 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 35.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.7% | 56.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.3% | 23.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.4% | 15.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lawrence's cost of living index is 91.0 vs Portsmouth's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Lawrence is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lawrence leads 14 of 23 categories. Lawrence wins 14 and Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($247,300 vs $213,300 median home), income ($59,834 vs $57,154), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lawrence, KS and Portsmouth, VA are about 1,039 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.