Lawrence, KS, known for its 'Small-Town Feel,' offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern urban amenities. Located in Douglas County, Lawrence is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Kansas City (41 miles) and Topeka (25 miles) enhance its status as a central point in the region. Lawrence's blend of scenic landscapes, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Lawrence is home to several iconic landmarks, including the University of Kansas, the historic Massachusetts Street, and the scenic Clinton State Park. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Lawrence Arts Center to the bustling The Granada Theater, known for its shopping and dining. Lawrence's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Midwestern cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Lawrence Busker Festival and the Free State Festival highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Lawrence's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like the University of Kansas contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Lawrence is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Spencer Museum of Art and the Lawrence Opera Theatre are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Lawrence provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Lawrence’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Kansas Jayhawks (NCAA) and the Kansas City Chiefs (NFL) in nearby Kansas City, providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Lawrence include education, healthcare, and manufacturing, with significant employers such as Lawrence Memorial Hospital and Hallmark Cards driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and bike paths, making transportation convenient for residents.
Amenities
Within the vicinity, you'll find a wealth of amenities, from restaurants and coffee shops to grocery stores and local shops, all easily accessible on foot.
Commute
High scores in the commute category could indicate that this area offers short commute times to work and readily available public transportation options.
Cost Of Living
Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.
Housing
The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.
Nothing Found
This area did not exhibit any cons, as none of the categories were rated low enough.
Lawrence is a mid-sized city located in the state of Kansas. The city has a population of 97,348 residents. According to the most recent Census, 79% of Lawrence residents are White, 7% Asian and 5% Black. Lawrence tends to attract a younger crowd, as the median age of 28 is far below the national average. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in Lawrence, only 42% of the population is married. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Lawrence. With an average one way commute time of only 20 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a fulfilling experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Lawrence, Kansas. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. With useful information like crime, cost of living, commute, health & safety and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Lawrence and in the areas around Lawrence is a much easier task.
Using data and statistics Lawrence has received a livability score of 88/100. This score is ranked in the 99th percentile when compared to all other cities. This is a phenomenal score, as Lawrence ranks well in multiple categories! The cherry on top is that Lawrence also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Lawrence has higher than average rankings for the following: cost of living (A+), education (B-) and housing (A-).
Lawrence has many conveniently situated amenities and captivating attractions that adds to the continuous enjoyment of your everyday life. Having the assurance of abundant conveniences and a wide array of activities ensures your easy access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants, bars, fitness facilities, coffee shops and exciting entertainment options. This not only simplifies daily routines but also fosters a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle within the community. With a wealth of resources at your fingertips, you can savor the convenience and variety that Lawrence has to offer, making it a desirable destination for those seeking both accessibility and enjoyment in their daily lives. Here are some of the more popular things to do in Lawrence: Museum of Natural History, Liberty Hall, and Spencer Museum of Art.
Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Lawrence market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.
Assuming that Lawrence meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Lawrence. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Lawrence are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Lawrence come in at $204,800, which is 51.4% higher than the Kansas average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Lawrence, the home price to income ratio is 3.7, which is 48% higher than the Kansas average.
| Statistic | Lawrence | Kansas | National |
| Average one way commute | 20min | 19min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 74.9% | 82.2% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 7.7% | 9.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 2.4% | 0.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 1.3% | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 5.5% | 2.4% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 7.2% | 4.2% | 4.6% |
Here are the best places to live in Kansas
Safest States In The US
These are the 10 cheapest cities in Kansas
Most Dangerous States In The US