| Index | Lawrence | Kansas | National |
| Cost of living | 99 | 90 | 100 |
| Groceries | 95 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 109 | 77 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 94 | 95 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 90 | 94 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 87 | 93 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Lawrence? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Lawrence stands at 99, making it 1% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
Everyday expenditures like food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care in Lawrence are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Lawrence can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 22 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Lawrence and this is how they responded. 55% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 45% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is Lawrence affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Lawrence, for instance, where the median home price falls 13.2% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 0.8% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Lawrence flaunting a median household income of $81,282, 0.1% lower than the national norm.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Lawrence, healthcare costs are 1.8% lower than the national average.
Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Lawrence, the transportation index is 3.1% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Lawrence, the standard sales tax rate starts at 6.5%, and the income tax rates commence at 3.1%.
The Lawrence cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $141,729 | $11,811 | $3,307 | $4,252 |
| Renters | $55,876 | $4,656 | $1,304 | $1,676 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Kansas | 6.5% | 11.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Kansas | 3.1% | 4.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Lecompton, KS | 890 | 88 | 12.3% |
| Linwood, KS | 429 | 88 | 12.2% |
| Perry, KS | 1,323 | 89 | 10.9% |
| Edgerton, KS | 1,800 | 93 | 6.8% |
| Baldwin City, KS | 4,845 | 94 | 6.3% |
| Lawrence, KS | 99,660 | 99 | 1.2% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Yuma, AZ | 99,763 | 99 | 0.7% |
| San Marcos, CA | 99,851 | 166 | 65.8% |
| Flint, MI | 99,436 | 77 | 22.9% |
| Longmont, CO | 99,360 | 133 | 33.2% |
| Bend, OR | 99,174 | 134 | 34.2% |
| Lawrence, KS | 99,660 | 99 | 1.2% |
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