Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lawrence, KS
VS
Rochester, NY
🏆 Lawrence leads 14 of 22 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
Rochester
New York
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.7
Median Household Income
$44,156
Violent Crime Index
153⚠ High
Population
210,992 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lawrence, KS
Pros
Households earn $15,678 more per year on average
21% less violent crime than Rochester
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.3 pts lower (5.2%)
More college-educated — 55.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.0)
7% cheaper overall cost of living than Rochester
Cons
Violent crime (461.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Rochester, NY
Pros
Homes cost $136k less ($111,400 vs $247,300)
Cooler summers — July highs near 83°F vs 89°F
Smaller class sizes — 10.3:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Lawrence by $15,678/yr
Violent crime (582.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3289.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.5% vs 5.2%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Lawrence
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 91.0 vs 97.7 (100 = US avg)
Lawrence
Median Income
$15,678
$59,834 vs $44,156/yr
Lawrence
Violent Crime
21% lower
461.5 vs 582.3 per 100k
Lawrence
Unemployment
3.3 pp lower
5.2% vs 8.5% unemployment
Lawrence
Summer Heat
6.1°F warmer
July avg high 88.6°F vs 82.5°F
Rochester
Median Home Value
$136k less
$111,400 vs $247,300
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lawrence, KS | Rochester, NY |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.0 ✓ Cheaper | 97.7 |
| Median Home Value | $247,300 | $111,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,038 | $995 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,834 ✓ Higher | $44,156 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.3 min | 19.3 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.7% ✓ Higher | 9.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 114⚠ High ✓ Safer | 155⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 121⚠ High ✓ Safer | 153⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer | 157⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (116) ✓ Better | B (100) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 | 10.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 55.5% ✓ Higher | 29.4% |
| High School or Higher | 95.9% ✓ Higher | 83.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lawrence | ROCHESTER CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.3°F ✓ Warmer | 33.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 88.6°F ✓ Warmer | 82.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.4" | 35.1" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 10.4" ✓ Less | 102.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 95,103 | 210,992 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 32.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.7% ✓ Higher | 37.3% |
| Under 18 | 16.3% | 21.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.4% | 12.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lawrence's cost of living index is 91.0 vs Rochester's 97.7 (US average = 100).
Lawrence is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Lawrence leads 14 of 22 categories. Lawrence wins 14 and Rochester 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 Rochester or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($247,300 vs $111,400 median home), income ($59,834 vs $44,156), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lawrence, KS and Rochester, NY are about 962 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.