Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lawrence, KS
VS
Santa Clara, CA
🏆 Santa Clara leads 12 of 23 categories
Lawrence
Kansas
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,834
Violent Crime Index
121⚠ High
Population
95,103
Santa Clara
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$165,352 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
48 ✓ Safer
Population
128,058 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lawrence, KS
Pros
Homes cost $1193k less ($247,300 vs $1,440,200)
Rent averages $1803/mo less ($1,038 vs $2,841)
22% cheaper overall cost of living than Santa Clara
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.0)
Smaller class sizes — 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Santa Clara by $105,518/yr
Violent crime (461.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (5.2% vs 4.2%)
Santa Clara, CA
Pros
Households earn $105,518 more per year on average
61% less violent crime than Lawrence
Violent crime is well below the national average (182.0 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (4.2%)
Milder winters — January highs near 60°F vs 38°F
More college-educated — 64.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,440,200
Higher rents — median is $2,841/mo
Cost of living runs 22% higher than Lawrence
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.9)
Key Differences at a Glance
Lawrence
Cost of Living
22% cheaper
COL index 91.0 vs 112.9 (100 = US avg)
Lawrence
Median Home Value
$1193k less
$247,300 vs $1,440,200
Lawrence
Summer Heat
7.8°F warmer
July avg high 88.6°F vs 80.8°F
Santa Clara
Median Income
$105,518
$165,352 vs $59,834/yr
Santa Clara
Violent Crime
61% lower
182.0 vs 461.5 per 100k
Santa Clara
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
4.2% vs 5.2% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lawrence, KS | Santa Clara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.0 ✓ Cheaper | 112.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $247,300 ✓ Lower | $1,440,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,038 ✓ Lower | $2,841⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,834 | $165,352 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter | 23.6 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.7% | 21.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 114⚠ High | 76 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 121⚠ High | 48 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer | 119⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (116) ✓ Better | A- (110) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 55.5% | 64.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 95.9% ✓ Higher | 94.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lawrence | Santa Clara Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.3°F | 59.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.6°F ✓ Warmer | 80.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.4" | 15.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 10.4" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 95,103 | 128,058 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 34.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.7% ✓ Higher | 41.9% |
| Under 18 | 16.3% | 18.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.4% ✓ More | 11.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lawrence's cost of living index is 91.0 vs Santa Clara's 112.9 (US average = 100).
Lawrence is 22% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Santa Clara leads 12 of 23 categories. Lawrence wins 11 and Santa Clara wins 12. 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 Santa Clara or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($247,300 vs $1,440,200 median home), income ($59,834 vs $165,352), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lawrence, KS and Santa Clara, CA are about 1,450 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.