salaryRent is lower than in 76% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.2 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 19.8 minutes. Most households rent (56%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 55.8% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $48,200 a year. That is $23 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Kansas cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Kansas. It is number 30 of 65 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Lawrence?
Share of households by yearly income. 23.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Lawrence
| Size | Lawrence | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $880 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,074 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,214 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,602 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,015 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Lawrence overall?
Everyday prices in the Lawrence metro area are 10% below the U.S. average (index 90.2, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Lawrence
Life in Lawrence
What jobs pay in Lawrence
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $133,880 | 10.8% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,650 | 11.4% |
| Physician Assistant | $126,340 | 11.4% |
| Software Developer | $104,990 | 13.8% |
| Lawyer | $103,070 | 14.0% |
| Civil Engineer | $97,220 | 14.9% |
| Operations Manager | $85,110 | 17.0% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $82,360 | 17.6% |
| Accountant | $79,050 | 18.3% |
| Registered Nurse | $78,020 | 18.5% |
| Market Research Analyst | $67,060 | 21.6% |
| Police Officer | $63,380 | 22.8% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,400 | 23.2% |
| Electrician | $61,070 | 23.7% |
| Carpenter | $59,800 | 24.2% |
| HVAC Technician | $59,390 | 24.3% |
| Plumber | $59,280 | 24.4% |
| Truck Driver | $59,050 | 24.5% |
| Firefighter | $51,930 | 27.8% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $50,310 | 28.7% |
| Warehouse Worker | $43,190 | 33.5% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,520 | 37.5% |
| Customer Service Representative | $37,800 | 38.3% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $37,230 | 38.8% |
| Medical Assistant | $37,170 | 38.9% |
| Restaurant Cook | $35,140 | 41.1% |
| Retail Salesperson | $31,320 | 46.2% |
| Cashier | $29,270 | 49.4% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Lawrence?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $826 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $292,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $29,270 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Lawrence, KS?
Renting in Lawrence costs a median of about $1,205 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Kansas median is $1,222.
How much do I need to make to live in Lawrence?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $48,200 a year, or $23 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Lawrence cheap or expensive?
Lawrence is rated OK: rent takes 20.6% of the typical household income of $70,112. It ranks 30th cheapest of 65 Kansas cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Lawrence?
The median homeowner in Lawrence pays $3,659 a year in property taxes, about 1.25% of the median home value.
Is Lawrence more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 10% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Lawrence?
The median home value in Lawrence is $292,700, about 4.2 times the typical yearly household income.
96,051 people live in Lawrence. Numbers are typical (middle) values.