Columbia, MO vs Lawrence, KS: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, living costs in Lawrence, KS and Columbia, MO are within 1% of each other (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Columbia works out to about $75,700 in Lawrence, before taxes.
- Housing is 3.4% higher in Lawrence, goods 0.2% lower and other services 0.8% higher, which roughly cancel out.
- Typical asking rent is $1,563 a month in Lawrence and $1,457 in Columbia, $1,272 a year more in Lawrence (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $336,000 in Lawrence and $319,000 in Columbia.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (0.2%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Overall prices are about the same in Columbia and Lawrence
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Columbia, MO
- Lawrence, KS
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Columbia, MO | Lawrence, KS | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 89.4 | 90.2 |
| Goods | 94.2 | 94.0 |
| Housing (rents) | 69.2 | 71.6 |
| Utilities | 86.0 | 89.3 |
| Other services | 93.0 | 93.8 |
| Category | Columbia | Lawrence | Lawrence vs Columbia |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 89.4 | 90.2 | +0.9% |
| Goods | 94.2 | 94.0 | −0.2% |
| Housing (rents) | 69.2 | 71.6 | +3.4% |
| Utilities | 86.0 | 89.3 | +3.9% |
| Other services | 93.0 | 93.8 | +0.8% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,457 | $1,563 | +7.3% |
| Typical home value | $319,000 | $336,000 | +5.3% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Columbia | $75,000 | $75,700 | +0.9% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Columbia and Lawrence has narrowed since 2008: 4.6 points then, 0.8 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Columbia, MO
- Lawrence, KS
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Columbia, MO | Lawrence, KS | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 93.5 | 98.2 |
| 2009 | 93.5 | 97.7 |
| 2010 | 93.0 | 97.5 |
| 2011 | 91.9 | 95.9 |
| 2012 | 93.4 | 96.0 |
| 2013 | 92.5 | 96.1 |
| 2014 | 92.9 | 96.5 |
| 2015 | 91.5 | 93.1 |
| 2016 | 91.2 | 94.1 |
| 2017 | 91.1 | 94.3 |
| 2018 | 91.6 | 94.3 |
| 2019 | 92.4 | 92.2 |
| 2020 | 91.1 | 94.0 |
| 2021 | 89.5 | 92.8 |
| 2022 | 87.8 | 92.2 |
| 2023 | 89.1 | 90.9 |
| 2024 | 89.4 | 90.2 |
Goods
- Columbia, MO
- Lawrence, KS
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Columbia, MO | Lawrence, KS | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 95.3 | 98.7 |
| 2009 | 95.9 | 97.7 |
| 2010 | 96.3 | 96.4 |
| 2011 | 96.1 | 96.1 |
| 2012 | 97.0 | 97.2 |
| 2013 | 96.9 | 97.0 |
| 2014 | 98.0 | 98.2 |
| 2015 | 97.7 | 97.8 |
| 2016 | 96.9 | 97.0 |
| 2017 | 95.4 | 95.5 |
| 2018 | 95.1 | 95.0 |
| 2019 | 97.1 | 97.1 |
| 2020 | 95.8 | 95.9 |
| 2021 | 94.1 | 93.8 |
| 2022 | 93.7 | 93.6 |
| 2023 | 96.6 | 96.5 |
| 2024 | 94.2 | 94.0 |
Housing (rents)
- Columbia, MO
- Lawrence, KS
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Columbia, MO | Lawrence, KS | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 78.7 | 92.3 |
| 2009 | 76.2 | 91.8 |
| 2010 | 74.3 | 96.3 |
| 2011 | 73.2 | 95.2 |
| 2012 | 78.0 | 91.1 |
| 2013 | 72.3 | 89.0 |
| 2014 | 76.2 | 93.3 |
| 2015 | 73.2 | 76.9 |
| 2016 | 68.4 | 83.1 |
| 2017 | 73.9 | 88.5 |
| 2018 | 71.4 | 83.1 |
| 2019 | 75.0 | 68.7 |
| 2020 | 68.3 | 80.2 |
| 2021 | 64.5 | 78.3 |
| 2022 | 64.9 | 84.8 |
| 2023 | 66.0 | 74.1 |
| 2024 | 69.2 | 71.6 |
Utilities
- Columbia, MO
- Lawrence, KS
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Columbia, MO | Lawrence, KS | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 83.5 | 93.8 |
| 2009 | 86.8 | 97.5 |
| 2010 | 85.2 | 91.7 |
| 2011 | 89.1 | 94.1 |
| 2012 | 89.9 | 94.9 |
| 2013 | 90.0 | 95.9 |
| 2014 | 83.6 | 89.1 |
| 2015 | 86.6 | 87.6 |
| 2016 | 83.9 | 86.8 |
| 2017 | 89.4 | 94.2 |
| 2018 | 94.0 | 105.1 |
| 2019 | 93.3 | 101.8 |
| 2020 | 94.2 | 104.7 |
| 2021 | 91.9 | 105.3 |
| 2022 | 89.9 | 107.5 |
| 2023 | 88.8 | 92.8 |
| 2024 | 86.0 | 89.3 |
Other services
- Columbia, MO
- Lawrence, KS
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Columbia, MO | Lawrence, KS | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.6 | 100.0 |
| 2009 | 98.5 | 99.8 |
| 2010 | 98.0 | 99.1 |
| 2011 | 95.4 | 96.1 |
| 2012 | 96.4 | 96.9 |
| 2013 | 97.0 | 97.7 |
| 2014 | 96.0 | 96.9 |
| 2015 | 94.3 | 95.2 |
| 2016 | 95.3 | 96.3 |
| 2017 | 94.1 | 95.4 |
| 2018 | 96.3 | 97.0 |
| 2019 | 96.2 | 97.0 |
| 2020 | 96.4 | 97.1 |
| 2021 | 95.2 | 96.6 |
| 2022 | 91.8 | 92.9 |
| 2023 | 92.3 | 93.0 |
| 2024 | 93.0 | 93.8 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,563 in Lawrence vs $1,457 in Columbia
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Columbia, MO
- Lawrence, KS
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Columbia, MO | Lawrence, KS | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $823 | – | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $806 | – | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $807 | – | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $821 | – | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $817 | – | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $821 | – | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $812 | – | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $822 | $947 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $844 | $934 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $837 | $948 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $822 | $953 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $832 | $965 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $856 | $972 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $857 | $975 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $843 | $974 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $860 | $997 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $880 | $1,001 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $879 | $985 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $873 | $1,000 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $878 | $1,025 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $905 | $1,040 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $899 | $1,048 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $917 | $1,048 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $920 | $1,063 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $932 | $1,074 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $967 | $1,101 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $998 | $1,117 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,043 | $1,139 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,068 | $1,154 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,094 | $1,189 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,129 | $1,209 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,143 | $1,223 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,173 | $1,254 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,198 | $1,288 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,211 | $1,322 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,227 | $1,310 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,261 | $1,343 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,293 | $1,368 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,314 | $1,391 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,324 | $1,438 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,363 | $1,419 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,373 | $1,465 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,380 | $1,495 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,395 | $1,525 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,451 | $1,531 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,430 | $1,537 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,457 | $1,563 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $336,000 in Lawrence vs $319,000 in Columbia
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Columbia, MO
- Lawrence, KS
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Columbia, MO | Lawrence, KS | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $168K | $170K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $169K | $171K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $171K | $170K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $172K | $173K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $173K | $177K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $174K | $180K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $176K | $180K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $179K | $182K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $183K | $184K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $186K | $188K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $187K | $189K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $187K | $192K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $188K | $195K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $189K | $199K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $190K | $201K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $191K | $201K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $193K | $204K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $196K | $208K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $198K | $210K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $202K | $213K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $204K | $216K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $206K | $219K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $212K | $225K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $221K | $233K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $227K | $241K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $239K | $255K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $248K | $260K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $253K | $263K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $265K | $274K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $279K | $284K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $281K | $285K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $280K | $284K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $279K | $287K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $286K | $294K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $289K | $300K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $288K | $301K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $291K | $303K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $295K | $307K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $299K | $312K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $303K | $318K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $308K | $321K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $308K | $321K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $310K | $324K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $313K | $328K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $315K | $331K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $317K | $332K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $319K | $336K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.