Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Lawrence, KS

    Is Lawrence a good place to live?

    Watch Lawrence

    Lawrence ranks #11 of 16 Kansas cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (40/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 0.4% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $269,500
    +9.0% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,054
    per month
    Household income
    $62,838
    median
    Unemployment
    5.0%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Lawrence

    The median home value in Lawrence is $269,500 and median rent is $1,054 a month, against a median household income of $62,838. Homes cost about 4.3× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Lawrence crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Kansas the 2025 rate was 476 violent and 1,922 property crimes per 100,000 people — #6 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Lawrence, KS

    Lawrence has about 95,459 residents, 5.0% unemployment and 30% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Lawrence with

    Lawrence vs WichitaLawrence vs Overland ParkLawrence vs Kansas CityLawrence vs OlatheLawrence vs TopekaLawrence vs ShawneeLawrence vs LenexaLawrence vs Manhattan

    More: Where to move in Kansas · Best counties in Kansas

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report