Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lawrence, KS
VS
Toms River, NJ
🏆 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
Population
95,103 ✓ Larger
Toms River
New Jersey
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$92,012 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
35 ✓ Safer
Population
92,827
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lawrence, KS
Pros
Rent averages $554/mo less ($1,038 vs $1,592)
Homes cost $109k less ($247,300 vs $356,100)
22% cheaper overall cost of living than Toms River
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 55.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.5 pts lower (5.2%)
Cons
Median income trails Toms River by $32,178/yr
Violent crime (461.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Toms River, NJ
Pros
71% less violent crime than Lawrence
Households earn $32,178 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (134.3 vs 380/100k)
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,592/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $356,100
Cost of living runs 22% higher than Lawrence
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Lawrence
Cost of Living
22% cheaper
COL index 91.0 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Lawrence
Median Home Value
$109k less
$247,300 vs $356,100
Lawrence
Unemployment
0.5 pp lower
5.2% vs 5.7% unemployment
Lawrence
Summer Heat
3.1°F warmer
July avg high 88.6°F vs 85.5°F
Toms River
Median Income
$32,178
$92,012 vs $59,834/yr
Toms River
Violent Crime
71% lower
134.3 vs 461.5 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lawrence, KS | Toms River, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.0 ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $247,300 ✓ Lower | $356,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,038 ✓ Lower | $1,592⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,834 | $92,012 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter | 30.9 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 11.7% ✓ Higher | 11.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 114⚠ High | 43 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 121⚠ High | 35 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 103⚠ High | 53 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (116) ✓ Better | B+ (107) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 | 13.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 55.5% ✓ Higher | 34.4% |
| High School or Higher | 95.9% ✓ Higher | 93.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lawrence | Toms River Regional School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.3°F | 41.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.6°F ✓ Warmer | 85.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.4" ✓ Drier | 52.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 10.4" ✓ Less | 23.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 95,103 ✓ Larger | 92,827 |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 42.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.7% | 80.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.3% | 21.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.4% | 18.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lawrence's cost of living index is 91.0 vs Toms River's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Lawrence is 22% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lawrence leads 13 of 23 categories. Lawrence wins 13 and Toms River 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 Toms River or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($247,300 vs $356,100 median home), income ($59,834 vs $92,012), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lawrence, KS and Toms River, NJ are about 1,124 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.