Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lawrence, KS
VS
Yonkers, NY
🏆 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
Yonkers
New York
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$78,208 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
82 ✓ Safer
Population
209,780 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lawrence, KS
Pros
Homes cost $209k less ($247,300 vs $456,500)
Rent averages $621/mo less ($1,038 vs $1,659)
22% cheaper overall cost of living than Yonkers
Commutes run 15 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.4 pts lower (5.2%)
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 Yonkers by $18,374/yr
Yonkers, NY
Pros
32% less violent crime than Lawrence
Households earn $18,374 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $456,500
Higher rents — median is $1,659/mo
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
$209k less
$247,300 vs $456,500
Lawrence
Unemployment
1.4 pp lower
5.2% vs 6.6% unemployment
Lawrence
Summer Heat
3.0°F warmer
July avg high 88.6°F vs 85.6°F
Yonkers
Median Income
$18,374
$78,208 vs $59,834/yr
Yonkers
Violent Crime
32% lower
311.8 vs 461.5 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lawrence, KS | Yonkers, NY |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.0 ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $247,300 ✓ Lower | $456,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,038 ✓ Lower | $1,659⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,834 | $78,208 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter | 34.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 11.7% ✓ Higher | 9.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 114⚠ High | 69 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 121⚠ High | 82 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 103⚠ High | 48 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (116) ✓ Better | B (99) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 55.5% ✓ Higher | 35.5% |
| High School or Higher | 95.9% ✓ Higher | 83.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lawrence | YONKERS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.3°F | 39.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.6°F ✓ Warmer | 85.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.4" ✓ Drier | 51.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 10.4" ✓ Less | 32.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 95,103 | 209,780 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 39.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.7% | 48.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.3% | 20.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.4% | 16.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lawrence's cost of living index is 91.0 vs Yonkers'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 Yonkers 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 Yonkers or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($247,300 vs $456,500 median home), income ($59,834 vs $78,208), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lawrence, KS and Yonkers, NY are about 1,139 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.