Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lawrence, KS
VS
Reading, PA
🏆 Lawrence leads 15 of 23 categories
Lawrence
Kansas
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,834 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
121⚠ High
Population
95,103 ✓ Larger
Reading
Pennsylvania
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.5
Median Household Income
$42,852
Violent Crime Index
89 ✓ Safer
Population
94,601
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 6.1 pts lower (5.2%)
Households earn $16,982 more per year on average
More college-educated — 55.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 5 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
Reading, PA
Pros
Homes cost $150k less ($96,900 vs $247,300)
27% less violent crime than Lawrence
Rent averages $96/mo less ($942 vs $1,038)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.5)
Cons
Median income trails Lawrence by $16,982/yr
Higher unemployment (11.3% vs 5.2%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Lawrence
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 91.0 vs 92.5 (100 = US avg)
Lawrence
Median Income
$16,982
$59,834 vs $42,852/yr
Lawrence
Unemployment
6.1 pp lower
5.2% vs 11.3% unemployment
Reading
Violent Crime
27% lower
337.2 vs 461.5 per 100k
Reading
Median Home Value
$150k less
$96,900 vs $247,300
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lawrence, KS | Reading, PA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.0 ✓ Cheaper | 92.5 |
| Median Home Value | $247,300 | $96,900 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,038 | $942 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,834 ✓ Higher | $42,852 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 11.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter | 24.3 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.7% ✓ Higher | 4.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 114⚠ High | 81 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 121⚠ High | 89 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 103⚠ High | 68 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (116) ✓ Better | C (80) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.2:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 55.5% ✓ Higher | 11.7% |
| High School or Higher | 95.9% ✓ Higher | 71.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lawrence | Reading SD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.3°F | 38.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.6°F ✓ Warmer | 86.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.4" ✓ Drier | 49.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 10.4" ✓ Less | 27.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 95,103 ✓ Larger | 94,601 |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 31.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.7% ✓ Higher | 39.3% |
| Under 18 | 16.3% | 28.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.4% ✓ More | 10.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lawrence's cost of living index is 91.0 vs Reading's 92.5 (US average = 100).
Lawrence is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lawrence leads 15 of 23 categories. Lawrence wins 15 and Reading wins 8. 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 Reading or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($247,300 vs $96,900 median home), income ($59,834 vs $42,852), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lawrence, KS and Reading, PA are about 1,031 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.