Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lawrence, KS
VS
Quincy, MA
🏆 Lawrence leads 12 of 23 categories
Lawrence
Kansas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,834
Violent Crime Index
121⚠ High
Population
95,103
Quincy
Massachusetts
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$90,668 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
88 ✓ Safer
Population
100,981 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lawrence, KS
Pros
Homes cost $316k less ($247,300 vs $563,200)
Rent averages $863/mo less ($1,038 vs $1,901)
Commutes run 15 min shorter each way
21% cheaper overall cost of living than Quincy
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (5.2%)
More college-educated — 55.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails Quincy by $30,834/yr
Violent crime (461.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Quincy, MA
Pros
Households earn $30,834 more per year on average
27% less violent crime than Lawrence
Cooler summers — July highs near 83°F vs 89°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $563,200
Higher rents — median is $1,901/mo
Cost of living runs 21% higher than Lawrence
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.6)
Key Differences at a Glance
Lawrence
Cost of Living
21% cheaper
COL index 91.0 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
Lawrence
Median Home Value
$316k less
$247,300 vs $563,200
Lawrence
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
5.2% vs 6.7% unemployment
Lawrence
Summer Heat
5.6°F warmer
July avg high 88.6°F vs 83.0°F
Quincy
Median Income
$30,834
$90,668 vs $59,834/yr
Quincy
Violent Crime
27% lower
335.1 vs 461.5 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lawrence, KS | Quincy, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.0 ✓ Cheaper | 111.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $247,300 ✓ Lower | $563,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,038 ✓ Lower | $1,901⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,834 | $90,668 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter | 33.9 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 11.7% | 15.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 114⚠ High | 78 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 121⚠ High | 88 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 103⚠ High | 63 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (116) | A (119) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 | 13.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 55.5% ✓ Higher | 46.9% |
| High School or Higher | 95.9% ✓ Higher | 89.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lawrence | Quincy |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.3°F ✓ Warmer | 37.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 88.6°F ✓ Warmer | 83.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.4" ✓ Drier | 52.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 10.4" ✓ Less | 50.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 95,103 | 100,981 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 38.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.7% | 43.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.3% ✓ More | 15.0% |
| Over 65 | 12.4% | 16.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lawrence's cost of living index is 91.0 vs Quincy's 111.6 (US average = 100).
Lawrence is 21% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lawrence leads 12 of 23 categories. Lawrence wins 12 and Quincy wins 11. 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 Quincy or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($247,300 vs $563,200 median home), income ($59,834 vs $90,668), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lawrence, KS and Quincy, MA are about 1,288 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.