Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lawrence, KS
VS
Richmond, CA
🏆 Lawrence leads 14 of 23 categories
Lawrence
Kansas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,834
Violent Crime Index
121⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
95,103
Richmond
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$86,618 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
243⚠ High
Population
115,619 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lawrence, KS
Pros
Homes cost $378k less ($247,300 vs $624,800)
Rent averages $815/mo less ($1,038 vs $1,853)
50% less violent crime than Richmond
27% cheaper overall cost of living than Richmond
Commutes run 15 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (5.2%)
Cons
Median income trails Richmond by $26,784/yr
Violent crime (461.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Richmond, CA
Pros
Households earn $26,784 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 58°F vs 38°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 71°F vs 89°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $624,800
Higher rents — median is $1,853/mo
Cost of living runs 27% higher than Lawrence
Violent crime (923.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Key Differences at a Glance
Lawrence
Cost of Living
27% cheaper
COL index 91.0 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Lawrence
Violent Crime
50% lower
461.5 vs 923.1 per 100k
Lawrence
Median Home Value
$378k less
$247,300 vs $624,800
Lawrence
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
5.2% vs 6.9% unemployment
Lawrence
Summer Heat
17.8°F warmer
July avg high 88.6°F vs 70.8°F
Richmond
Median Income
$26,784
$86,618 vs $59,834/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lawrence, KS | Richmond, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.0 ✓ Cheaper | 118.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $247,300 ✓ Lower | $624,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,038 ✓ Lower | $1,853⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,834 | $86,618 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter | 34.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 11.7% ✓ Higher | 11.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 114⚠ High ✓ Safer | 198⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 121⚠ High ✓ Safer | 243⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer | 132⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (116) ✓ Better | C+ (86) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 22.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 55.5% ✓ Higher | 32.1% |
| High School or Higher | 95.9% ✓ Higher | 79.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lawrence | West Contra Costa Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.3°F | 58.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.6°F ✓ Warmer | 70.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.4" | 24.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 10.4" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 95,103 | 115,619 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 37.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.7% | 51.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.3% | 21.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.4% | 14.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lawrence's cost of living index is 91.0 vs Richmond's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Lawrence is 27% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lawrence leads 14 of 23 categories. Lawrence wins 14 and Richmond 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 Richmond or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($247,300 vs $624,800 median home), income ($59,834 vs $86,618), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lawrence, KS and Richmond, CA are about 1,462 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.