Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lawrence, KS
VS
Temecula, CA
🏆 Temecula 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
Temecula
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$111,881 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
40 ✓ Safer
Population
110,114 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lawrence, KS
Pros
Homes cost $357k less ($247,300 vs $604,300)
Rent averages $1184/mo less ($1,038 vs $2,222)
Commutes run 17 min shorter each way
17% cheaper overall cost of living than Temecula
More college-educated — 55.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.6 pts lower (5.2%)
Cons
Median income trails Temecula by $52,047/yr
Violent crime (461.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Temecula, CA
Pros
Households earn $52,047 more per year on average
67% less violent crime than Lawrence
Violent crime is well below the national average (151.5 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 38°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $604,300
Higher rents — median is $2,222/mo
Cost of living runs 17% higher than Lawrence
Longer commutes — 36.2 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Lawrence
Cost of Living
17% cheaper
COL index 91.0 vs 107.9 (100 = US avg)
Lawrence
Median Home Value
$357k less
$247,300 vs $604,300
Lawrence
Unemployment
0.6 pp lower
5.2% vs 5.8% unemployment
Temecula
Median Income
$52,047
$111,881 vs $59,834/yr
Temecula
Violent Crime
67% lower
151.5 vs 461.5 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lawrence, KS | Temecula, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.0 ✓ Cheaper | 107.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $247,300 ✓ Lower | $604,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,038 ✓ Lower | $2,222⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,834 | $111,881 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter | 36.2 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 11.7% | 14.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 114⚠ High | 56 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 121⚠ High | 40 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 103⚠ High | 80 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (116) ✓ Better | B (97) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 23.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 55.5% ✓ Higher | 38.1% |
| High School or Higher | 95.9% ✓ Higher | 93.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lawrence | Temecula Valley Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.3°F | 67.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.6°F ✓ Warmer | 87.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.4" | 15.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 10.4" | 0.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 95,103 | 110,114 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 36.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.7% | 68.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.3% | 27.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.4% ✓ More | 11.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lawrence's cost of living index is 91.0 vs Temecula's 107.9 (US average = 100).
Lawrence is 17% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Temecula leads 12 of 23 categories. Lawrence wins 11 and Temecula 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 Temecula or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($247,300 vs $604,300 median home), income ($59,834 vs $111,881), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lawrence, KS and Temecula, CA are about 1,272 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.