Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lawrence, KS
VS
Providence, RI
🏆 Lawrence leads 15 of 22 categories
Lawrence
Kansas
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,834
Violent Crime Index
121⚠ High
Population
95,103
Providence
Rhode Island
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$61,365 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
73 ✓ Safer
Population
189,715 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lawrence, KS
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (5.2%)
Homes cost $46k less ($247,300 vs $293,000)
More college-educated — 55.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Rent averages $176/mo less ($1,038 vs $1,214)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Providence
Cons
Violent crime (461.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Providence, RI
Pros
40% less violent crime than Lawrence
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 89°F
Cons
Higher unemployment (7.2% vs 5.2%)
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Lawrence
Key Differences at a Glance
Lawrence
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 91.0 vs 100.9 (100 = US avg)
Lawrence
Median Home Value
$46k less
$247,300 vs $293,000
Lawrence
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
5.2% vs 7.2% unemployment
Lawrence
Summer Heat
5.0°F warmer
July avg high 88.6°F vs 83.6°F
Providence
Median Income
$1,531
$61,365 vs $59,834/yr
Providence
Violent Crime
40% lower
276.7 vs 461.5 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lawrence, KS | Providence, RI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.0 ✓ Cheaper | 100.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $247,300 ✓ Lower | $293,000 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,038 ✓ Lower | $1,214 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,834 | $61,365 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter | 24.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.7% ✓ Higher | 11.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 114⚠ High | 75 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 121⚠ High | 73 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 103⚠ High | 79 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (116) ✓ Better | B- (95) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 55.5% ✓ Higher | 34.5% |
| High School or Higher | 95.9% ✓ Higher | 82.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lawrence | Providence |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.3°F | 38.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 88.6°F ✓ Warmer | 83.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.4" ✓ Drier | 47.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 10.4" ✓ Less | 36.6" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 95,103 | 189,715 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 32.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.7% ✓ Higher | 39.9% |
| Under 18 | 16.3% | 20.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.4% ✓ More | 11.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lawrence's cost of living index is 91.0 vs Providence's 100.9 (US average = 100).
Lawrence is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Lawrence leads 15 of 22 categories. Lawrence wins 15 and Providence wins 7. 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 Providence or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($247,300 vs $293,000 median home), income ($59,834 vs $61,365), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lawrence, KS and Providence, RI are about 1,266 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.