Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lawrence, KS
VS
Tempe, AZ
🏆 Lawrence leads 13 of 23 categories
Lawrence
Kansas
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,834
Violent Crime Index
121⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
95,103
Tempe
Arizona
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
99.9
Median Household Income
$72,022 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
124⚠ High
Population
181,005 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lawrence, KS
Pros
Homes cost $135k less ($247,300 vs $382,100)
Rent averages $434/mo less ($1,038 vs $1,472)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.5 pts lower (5.2%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 89°F vs 106°F
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Tempe
More college-educated — 55.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (461.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Tempe by $12,188/yr
Tempe, AZ
Pros
Households earn $12,188 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 71°F vs 38°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $382,100
Higher rents — median is $1,472/mo
Violent crime (470.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2893.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Lawrence
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 91.0 vs 99.9 (100 = US avg)
Lawrence
Median Home Value
$135k less
$247,300 vs $382,100
Lawrence
Unemployment
0.5 pp lower
5.2% vs 5.7% unemployment
Tempe
Median Income
$12,188
$72,022 vs $59,834/yr
Tempe
Summer Heat
17.3°F warmer
July avg high 105.9°F vs 88.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lawrence, KS | Tempe, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.0 ✓ Cheaper | 99.9 |
| Median Home Value | $247,300 ✓ Lower | $382,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,038 ✓ Lower | $1,472⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,834 | $72,022 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter | 21.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.7% | 16.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 114⚠ High ✓ Safer | 129⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 121⚠ High ✓ Safer | 124⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer | 138⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (116) | A (125) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 | 14.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 55.5% ✓ Higher | 48.9% |
| High School or Higher | 95.9% ✓ Higher | 93.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lawrence | Tempe School District (4258) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.3°F | 70.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.6°F | 105.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.4" | 8.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 10.4" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 95,103 | 181,005 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 29.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.7% ✓ Higher | 40.7% |
| Under 18 | 16.3% ✓ More | 14.4% |
| Over 65 | 12.4% ✓ More | 10.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lawrence's cost of living index is 91.0 vs Tempe's 99.9 (US average = 100).
Lawrence is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lawrence leads 13 of 23 categories. Lawrence wins 13 and Tempe wins 10. 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 Tempe or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($247,300 vs $382,100 median home), income ($59,834 vs $72,022), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lawrence, KS and Tempe, AZ are about 1,004 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.