Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lawrence, KS
VS
Scottsdale, AZ
🏆 Scottsdale leads 16 of 22 categories
Lawrence
Kansas
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,834
Violent Crime Index
121⚠ High
Population
95,103
Scottsdale
Arizona
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$104,197 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
40 ✓ Safer
Population
240,537 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lawrence, KS
Pros
Homes cost $405k less ($247,300 vs $651,800)
Rent averages $730/mo less ($1,038 vs $1,768)
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Scottsdale
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.0)
Cooler summers — July highs near 89°F vs 99°F
Smaller class sizes — 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Scottsdale by $44,363/yr
Violent crime (461.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (5.2% vs 3.5%)
Scottsdale, AZ
Pros
Households earn $44,363 more per year on average
67% less violent crime than Lawrence
Violent crime is well below the national average (152.5 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (3.5%)
Milder winters — January highs near 64°F vs 38°F
More college-educated — 61.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $651,800
Higher rents — median is $1,768/mo
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Lawrence
Hot summers — July highs average 99°F
Key Differences at a Glance
Lawrence
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 91.0 vs 104.0 (100 = US avg)
Lawrence
Median Home Value
$405k less
$247,300 vs $651,800
Scottsdale
Median Income
$44,363
$104,197 vs $59,834/yr
Scottsdale
Violent Crime
67% lower
152.5 vs 461.5 per 100k
Scottsdale
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
3.5% vs 5.2% unemployment
Scottsdale
Summer Heat
10.8°F warmer
July avg high 99.4°F vs 88.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lawrence, KS | Scottsdale, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.0 ✓ Cheaper | 104.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $247,300 ✓ Lower | $651,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,038 ✓ Lower | $1,768⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,834 | $104,197 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High | 3.5% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter | 21.4 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.7% | 26.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 114⚠ High | 60 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 121⚠ High | 40 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 103⚠ High | 89 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (116) | A- (116) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 55.5% | 61.3% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 95.9% | 97.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lawrence | Scottsdale Unified District (4240) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.3°F | 63.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.6°F | 99.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.4" | 11.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 10.4" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 95,103 | 240,537 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 48.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.7% | 67.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.3% ✓ More | 14.3% |
| Over 65 | 12.4% | 25.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lawrence's cost of living index is 91.0 vs Scottsdale's 104.0 (US average = 100).
Lawrence is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Scottsdale leads 16 of 22 categories. Lawrence wins 6 and Scottsdale wins 16. 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 Scottsdale or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($247,300 vs $651,800 median home), income ($59,834 vs $104,197), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lawrence, KS and Scottsdale, AZ are about 991 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.