Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lawrence, KS
VS
Stamford, CT
🏆 Stamford 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
Stamford
Connecticut
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$100,718 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
41 ✓ Safer
Population
135,413 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lawrence, KS
Pros
Homes cost $337k less ($247,300 vs $584,700)
Rent averages $1091/mo less ($1,038 vs $2,129)
16% cheaper overall cost of living than Stamford
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.0)
More college-educated — 55.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails Stamford by $40,884/yr
Violent crime (461.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Stamford, CT
Pros
Households earn $40,884 more per year on average
66% less violent crime than Lawrence
Violent crime is well below the national average (157.5 vs 380/100k)
Smaller class sizes — 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $584,700
Higher rents — median is $2,129/mo
Cost of living runs 16% higher than Lawrence
Longer commutes — 27.8 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Lawrence
Cost of Living
16% cheaper
COL index 91.0 vs 106.5 (100 = US avg)
Lawrence
Median Home Value
$337k less
$247,300 vs $584,700
Lawrence
Summer Heat
3.8°F warmer
July avg high 88.6°F vs 84.8°F
Stamford
Median Income
$40,884
$100,718 vs $59,834/yr
Stamford
Violent Crime
66% lower
157.5 vs 461.5 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lawrence, KS | Stamford, CT |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.0 ✓ Cheaper | 106.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $247,300 ✓ Lower | $584,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,038 ✓ Lower | $2,129⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,834 | $100,718 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter | 27.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 11.7% | 14.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 114⚠ High | 48 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 121⚠ High | 41 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 103⚠ High | 58 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (116) | A (120) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 | 12.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 55.5% ✓ Higher | 50.4% |
| High School or Higher | 95.9% ✓ Higher | 88.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lawrence | Stamford School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.3°F ✓ Warmer | 38.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 88.6°F ✓ Warmer | 84.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.4" ✓ Drier | 50.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 10.4" ✓ Less | 34.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 95,103 | 135,413 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 37.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.7% | 46.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.3% | 19.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.4% | 15.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lawrence's cost of living index is 91.0 vs Stamford's 106.5 (US average = 100).
Lawrence is 16% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Stamford leads 12 of 23 categories. Lawrence wins 11 and Stamford 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 Stamford or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($247,300 vs $584,700 median home), income ($59,834 vs $100,718), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lawrence, KS and Stamford, CT are about 1,155 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.