Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lawrence, KS
VS
Seattle, WA
🏆 Lawrence leads 12 of 23 categories
Lawrence
Kansas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,834
Violent Crime Index
121⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
95,103
Seattle
Washington
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$116,068 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
204⚠ High
Population
734,603 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lawrence, KS
Pros
Homes cost $633k less ($247,300 vs $879,900)
Rent averages $907/mo less ($1,038 vs $1,945)
40% less violent crime than Seattle
22% cheaper overall cost of living than Seattle
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.0)
Cons
Median income trails Seattle by $56,234/yr
Violent crime (461.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (5.2% vs 4.2%)
Seattle, WA
Pros
Households earn $56,234 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (4.2%)
More college-educated — 66.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 89°F
Milder winters — January highs near 47°F vs 38°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $879,900
Higher rents — median is $1,945/mo
Violent crime (775.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 22% higher than Lawrence
Key Differences at a Glance
Lawrence
Cost of Living
22% cheaper
COL index 91.0 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Lawrence
Violent Crime
40% lower
461.5 vs 775.1 per 100k
Lawrence
Median Home Value
$633k less
$247,300 vs $879,900
Lawrence
Summer Heat
12.1°F warmer
July avg high 88.6°F vs 76.5°F
Seattle
Median Income
$56,234
$116,068 vs $59,834/yr
Seattle
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
4.2% vs 5.2% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lawrence, KS | Seattle, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.0 ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $247,300 ✓ Lower | $879,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,038 ✓ Lower | $1,945⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,834 | $116,068 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter | 27.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.7% | 27.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 114⚠ High ✓ Safer | 218⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 121⚠ High ✓ Safer | 204⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer | 238⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (116) ✓ Better | A- (112) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 55.5% | 66.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 95.9% ✓ Higher | 95.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lawrence | Seattle School District No. 1 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.3°F | 47.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.6°F ✓ Warmer | 76.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.4" | 38.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 10.4" | 3.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 95,103 | 734,603 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 35.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.7% | 44.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.3% ✓ More | 14.0% |
| Over 65 | 12.4% | 12.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lawrence's cost of living index is 91.0 vs Seattle's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Lawrence is 22% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lawrence leads 12 of 23 categories. Lawrence wins 12 and Seattle wins 11. 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 Seattle or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($247,300 vs $879,900 median home), income ($59,834 vs $116,068), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lawrence, KS and Seattle, WA are about 1,478 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.