Is Lawrence Safe, Pros and cons of living in Lawrence

Lawrence, Kansas, offers a blend of small-town charm and big-city amenities, making it an attractive destination for many. Nestled in the northeastern part of the state, it’s known for its vibrant college town atmosphere, influenced by the presence of the University of Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University. This dynamic environment contributes to a youthful demographic and a lively cultural scene.

The city’s location along Interstate 70 provides convenient access to larger metropolitan areas like Topeka and Kansas City, while its setting between the Kansas and Wakarusa rivers offers natural beauty. Lawrence boasts a rich history, playing a role in significant historical periods, which adds to its unique character. This mix of history, education, and natural surroundings creates a compelling profile for potential residents.

Is it Safe to Live in Lawrence?

Lawrence presents a mixed picture regarding safety, with crime rates that are notable when compared to national averages. The overall crime rate in Lawrence is 24% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents (as reported by AreaVibes). This translates to approximately 6.93 daily crimes, including 1.22 violent crimes and 5.71 property crimes (as reported by AreaVibes).

When examining crime statistics, your chance of being a victim of crime in Lawrence varies by neighborhood, ranging from 1 in 30 in the east to 1 in 69 in the northwest (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). While the city’s total crime rate was reported at 2,627.4 per 100,000 residents in 2024, which is slightly below the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000, certain categories show elevated rates. Specifically, the rape crime rate is 1.7 times the national average (as reported by FBI data). Conversely, robbery rates are lower than the national rate (as reported by FBI data).

Lawrence ranks in the 45th percentile for safety, indicating that it is safer than 45% of U.S. cities but less safe than 55% (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The cost of crime per resident in Lawrence is approximately $317 per year, which is less than the national and state averages (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). These figures suggest that while Lawrence has areas with higher crime rates, it also has neighborhoods considered safer, and the overall financial impact of crime is relatively manageable.

Housing Costs and Availability

The housing market in Lawrence offers a range of options, with a median listing price currently around $375,000 (as reported by realtor.com®). The median rent for all bedroom counts and property types in Lawrence is approximately $1,142 as of April 2026 (as reported by Zumper). This median rent is significantly lower, about 41% or $806, than the national average (as reported by Zumper).

For renters, the average rent for a studio apartment is around $960, with one-bedroom units averaging about $1,080 (as reported by Rentometer). Two-bedroom apartments typically fall within the $1,200–$1,300 range, and three-bedroom units average near $1,500 (as reported by Rentometer). Houses for rent in Lawrence have a higher average monthly cost, around $1,662 (as reported by Zumper).

Home prices in Lawrence tend to be higher than in some nearby cities, which can influence rental rates. Higher rents are commonly found in the southeastern parts of Lawrence, while more affordable options are available in central areas (as reported by BestNeighborhood.org). The median price of a home in Lawrence is $246,605 (as reported by BestNeighborhood.org).

Cost of Living

Lawrence offers a cost of living that is generally considered more affordable than the national average. According to one index, the cost of living in Lawrence is approximately 95, with the national average set at 100 (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). This suggests that daily expenses are slightly lower than the U.S. average.

When compared to the state of Kansas, Lawrence’s cost of living is higher, with the state average around 83 on the same index (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). A single person’s estimated monthly costs in Lawrence are around $1,809, while a family of four’s estimated monthly costs are approximately $3,857 (as reported by Expatistan). These figures provide a useful benchmark for budgeting.

Specific expenses like groceries and transportation are noted to be more affordable in Lawrence than the overall U.S. average (as reported by MyLifeElsewhere.com). For instance, groceries are about 8.3% cheaper, and transportation costs are about 21.9% lower in Lawrence compared to the national average (as reported by MyLifeElsewhere.com).

Job Market and Major Employers

The job market in Lawrence is diverse, with employment growing at a rate of 0.58% from 2023 to 2024, reaching approximately 66,800 employees (as reported by Data USA). The most prevalent employment sectors for Lawrence residents are Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance, and Retail Trade (as reported by Data USA).

Key employers in the area include the University of Kansas, Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Lawrence Public Schools, Berry Global, and Hallmark Cards, Inc. (as reported by City of Lawrence Economic Development). These major employers contribute significantly to the local economy and provide a range of opportunities across various fields.

The average hourly wage in the Lawrence, KS Metropolitan Statistical Area was $27.45 in May 2024, which is lower than the nationwide average of $32.66 (as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Higher-paying occupations in Lawrence include management, healthcare practitioners, and those in computer and mathematical fields (as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Climate and Weather

Lawrence experiences distinct seasons, with summers that are hot, muggy, and wet, and winters that are short, very cold, snowy, and windy. Throughout the year, temperatures typically range from 21°F to 90°F, rarely falling below 4°F or exceeding 99°F (as reported by Weather and Climate). The air can feel uncomfortably humid during the summer months of July and August (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

The month with the most rainfall in Lawrence is May, averaging around 4.8 inches of precipitation (as reported by Weather and Climate). Conversely, January is the driest month, with an average of only 0.5 inches of rain (as reported by Weather and Climate). Annual precipitation averages about 39 inches, with approximately 11 inches of snowfall (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

The best times of year to visit Lawrence, based on comfortable weather, are mid-April to mid-June and mid-September to mid-October. These periods offer mild temperatures and lower humidity, making them ideal for outdoor activities (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Education and School Ratings

Lawrence is served by the Lawrence Unified School District, which is rated “A minus” and holds a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1 (as reported by Niche). The district has 18 public schools serving approximately 10,592 students (as reported by Niche). Overall, the district ranks 21st out of 273 in Kansas for best school districts (as reported by Niche).

Performance in math and reading proficiency varies within the district. On average, 33% of students in Lawrence public schools are proficient in math, and 38% are proficient in reading (as reported by Niche). These scores are slightly above the Kansas public school averages of 31% for math and 33% for reading (as reported by Niche).

Top-ranked public schools in Lawrence include Langston Hughes Elementary School, Quail Run Elementary School, and Sunflower Elementary School (as reported by Niche). However, there are performance gaps between schools, with some, like New York Elementary and Woodlawn Elementary, showing significantly lower test scores (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

Demographics and Population

Lawrence is home to a population of approximately 96,051 residents as of the most recent Census data (as reported by Point2Homes). The median age in Lawrence is 29 years old, with a significant portion of the population falling into the younger age brackets (as reported by Point2Homes). Specifically, about 13.8% are children under 15, and 28.8% are between 15 and 24 years old.

The racial makeup of Lawrence is predominantly Caucasian, accounting for about 75.2% of the population. Other significant groups include those identifying with two or more races (11.8%), African Americans (5%), and Asians (5.1%) (as reported by Point2Homes). The city has a slightly higher proportion of females, with 51.2% of residents being female and 48.8% being male (as reported by Point2Homes).

The median household income in Lawrence was reported as $65,009 in the most recent data, showing a positive year-over-year change (as reported by Point2Homes). Households led by residents aged 25 to 44 have a median income of $74,304, while those with someone aged 45 to 64 earn approximately $94,116 (as reported by Point2Homes). The average annual household income in Lawrence was $90,893 in 2024 (as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau).

Unemployment Rate

The unemployment rate in Lawrence, KS, was reported at 3.6% as of February 2026 (as reported by FRED). This rate is lower than the long-term average of 4.28% for the area (as reported by YCharts).

Compared to the previous month, the unemployment rate saw an increase from 3.00%, and it also increased from 3.30% in the previous year (as reported by YCharts). Despite these recent fluctuations, the current rate remains a positive indicator for the local job market.

The unemployment rate in Lawrence, KS (MSA) was 3.7% in January 2026 (as reported by FRED). This figure is consistent with recent trends and provides a snapshot of the employment landscape in the metropolitan area.