Lawrence, Kansas
Among the top 4% of US places for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade D, better than 17% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade C, better than 40% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade F, better than 8% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade A+, better than 96% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade B+, better than 73% of US places
- top 3% for park & nature access
- top 12% for commute time
- bottom 9% for violent crime
Lawrence is a mid-size city in Kansas with about 95,000 residents. It grades A+ for getting around and F for safety & wellbeing. Standout strengths include park & nature access, commute time, and walkability. It rates lower on comfortable days and violent crime.
Official websitelawrenceks.org (opens in new tab)
Climate
Hot, humid summers · Cold winters · Moderate rain · Light snow
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83%62%clearovercast
Precipitation 4.9 in1.4 in
muggy 100%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$60k46th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$46kbetter than 51% of US places
Home Value$247k70th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$1kbetter than 38% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$2kbetter than 29% of US places
Property Tax Rate1.28%better than 35% of US places
Income Tax5.70%better than 39% of US places
Sales Tax8.75%better than 22% of US places
Estimated total tax burden13.86%better than 21% of US places
Unemployment5.2%better than 38% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)30°F41st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)79°F69th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation39.4 in42nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall10.4 inbetter than 60% of US places
Sunny Days265 daysbetter than 83% of US places
Summer Humidity67°Fbetter than 29% of US places
Comfortable Days54 daysbetter than 11% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk44.5better than 77% of US places
Air Quality52 AQIbetter than 15% of US places
School Quality44.2better than 23% of US places
Violent Crime1952/100kbetter than 9% of US places
Property Crime2195/100kbetter than 16% of US places
Community
Population95,10399th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age28.87th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.3973rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9850th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningD+406th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)74.3%35th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)4.5%75th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)7.3%66th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)5.8%92nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)8.0%85th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time19 minbetter than 88% of US places
Walkability9.7/20better than 85% of US places
Airport Distance37 mibetter than 77% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access89.6%better than 63% of US places
Amenities Nearby28.07better than 27% of US places
Park & Nature AccessExcellentbetter than 97% of US places
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Lawrence an affordable place to live?
- Lawrence is about average in cost. Its cost-of-living index is $46k, better than 51% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Lawrence?
- The median home value in Lawrence is $247k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Lawrence?
- Median household income in Lawrence is $60k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Lawrence?
- Median gross rent in Lawrence is $1k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Lawrence safe?
- Lawrence is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1952/100k (better than 9%). Property crime is 2195/100k.
- What is the weather like in Lawrence?
- Lawrence averages 79°F in July and 30°F in January, with 39.4 in of annual precipitation and about 265 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Lawrence?
- Public-school quality in Lawrence is below average, scoring better than 23% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Lawrence?
- The average one-way commute in Lawrence is 19 min.
Places near Lawrence
Compare Lawrence
Explore Kansas
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)