Lawrence, KS vs Kansas City, MO: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Kansas City, MO is 2.5% more expensive than Lawrence, KS (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Lawrence works out to about $76,900 in Kansas City, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 20.9% more in Kansas City. Goods are 0.1% higher and other services 0.5% lower.
- Typical asking rent is $1,534 a month in Kansas City and $1,563 in Lawrence, nearly the same (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $325,000 in Kansas City and $336,000 in Lawrence.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (3.0%).
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.
Housing drives the gap: 20.9% higher in Kansas City than in Lawrence
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Lawrence, KS
- Kansas City, MO
All items Lawrence, KS: 90.2 Kansas City, MO: 92.5
Goods Lawrence, KS: 94.0 Kansas City, MO: 94.1
Housing (rents) Lawrence, KS: 71.6 Kansas City, MO: 86.6
Utilities Lawrence, KS: 89.3 Kansas City, MO: 89.0
Other services Lawrence, KS: 93.8 Kansas City, MO: 93.4
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Lawrence, KS | Kansas City, MO | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 90.2 | 92.5 |
| Goods | 94.0 | 94.1 |
| Housing (rents) | 71.6 | 86.6 |
| Utilities | 89.3 | 89.0 |
| Other services | 93.8 | 93.4 |
| Category | Lawrence | Kansas City | Kansas City vs Lawrence |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 90.2 | 92.5 | +2.5% |
| Goods | 94.0 | 94.1 | +0.1% |
| Housing (rents) | 71.6 | 86.6 | +20.9% |
| Utilities | 89.3 | 89.0 | −0.3% |
| Other services | 93.8 | 93.4 | −0.5% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,563 | $1,534 | −1.9% |
| Typical home value | $336,000 | $325,000 | −3.2% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Lawrence | $75,000 | $76,900 | +2.5% |
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 Lawrence and Kansas City has narrowed since 2008: 5.1 points then, 2.3 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Lawrence, KS
- Kansas City, MO
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Lawrence, KS | Kansas City, MO | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.2 | 93.1 |
| 2009 | 97.7 | 95.0 |
| 2010 | 97.5 | 96.0 |
| 2011 | 95.9 | 96.6 |
| 2012 | 96.0 | 96.9 |
| 2013 | 96.1 | 95.8 |
| 2014 | 96.5 | 97.1 |
| 2015 | 93.1 | 98.6 |
| 2016 | 94.1 | 97.2 |
| 2017 | 94.3 | 96.9 |
| 2018 | 94.3 | 94.2 |
| 2019 | 92.2 | 94.9 |
| 2020 | 94.0 | 95.0 |
| 2021 | 92.8 | 93.6 |
| 2022 | 92.2 | 92.0 |
| 2023 | 90.9 | 93.2 |
| 2024 | 90.2 | 92.5 |
Goods
- Lawrence, KS
- Kansas City, MO
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Lawrence, KS | Kansas City, MO | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.7 | 92.4 |
| 2009 | 97.7 | 98.9 |
| 2010 | 96.4 | 96.0 |
| 2011 | 96.1 | 96.6 |
| 2012 | 97.2 | 97.8 |
| 2013 | 97.0 | 97.5 |
| 2014 | 98.2 | 97.4 |
| 2015 | 97.8 | 98.8 |
| 2016 | 97.0 | 97.8 |
| 2017 | 95.5 | 98.0 |
| 2018 | 95.0 | 95.1 |
| 2019 | 97.1 | 97.1 |
| 2020 | 95.9 | 95.8 |
| 2021 | 93.8 | 94.0 |
| 2022 | 93.6 | 93.7 |
| 2023 | 96.5 | 96.6 |
| 2024 | 94.0 | 94.1 |
Housing (rents)
- Lawrence, KS
- Kansas City, MO
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Lawrence, KS | Kansas City, MO | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 92.3 | 88.8 |
| 2009 | 91.8 | 85.3 |
| 2010 | 96.3 | 88.2 |
| 2011 | 95.2 | 87.3 |
| 2012 | 91.1 | 85.3 |
| 2013 | 89.0 | 86.9 |
| 2014 | 93.3 | 84.1 |
| 2015 | 76.9 | 87.1 |
| 2016 | 83.1 | 85.3 |
| 2017 | 88.5 | 85.4 |
| 2018 | 83.1 | 83.3 |
| 2019 | 68.7 | 84.6 |
| 2020 | 80.2 | 87.6 |
| 2021 | 78.3 | 84.8 |
| 2022 | 84.8 | 85.6 |
| 2023 | 74.1 | 88.0 |
| 2024 | 71.6 | 86.6 |
Utilities
- Lawrence, KS
- Kansas City, MO
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Lawrence, KS | Kansas City, MO | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 93.8 | 86.3 |
| 2009 | 97.5 | 88.8 |
| 2010 | 91.7 | 90.3 |
| 2011 | 94.1 | 90.4 |
| 2012 | 94.9 | 85.6 |
| 2013 | 95.9 | 86.1 |
| 2014 | 89.1 | 83.8 |
| 2015 | 87.6 | 95.4 |
| 2016 | 86.8 | 95.8 |
| 2017 | 94.2 | 101.0 |
| 2018 | 105.1 | 99.2 |
| 2019 | 101.8 | 97.9 |
| 2020 | 104.7 | 99.0 |
| 2021 | 105.3 | 97.1 |
| 2022 | 107.5 | 98.0 |
| 2023 | 92.8 | 91.4 |
| 2024 | 89.3 | 89.0 |
Other services
- Lawrence, KS
- Kansas City, MO
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Lawrence, KS | Kansas City, MO | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 100.0 | 95.3 |
| 2009 | 99.8 | 95.7 |
| 2010 | 99.1 | 98.8 |
| 2011 | 96.1 | 99.8 |
| 2012 | 96.9 | 100.6 |
| 2013 | 97.7 | 98.2 |
| 2014 | 96.9 | 102.0 |
| 2015 | 95.2 | 102.2 |
| 2016 | 96.3 | 100.6 |
| 2017 | 95.4 | 99.4 |
| 2018 | 97.0 | 96.6 |
| 2019 | 97.0 | 96.6 |
| 2020 | 97.1 | 96.7 |
| 2021 | 96.6 | 95.8 |
| 2022 | 92.9 | 92.3 |
| 2023 | 93.0 | 92.6 |
| 2024 | 93.8 | 93.4 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,534 in Kansas City vs $1,563 in Lawrence
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Lawrence, KS
- Kansas City, MO
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Lawrence, KS | Kansas City, MO | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | – | $868 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | – | $881 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | – | $888 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | – | $885 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | – | $898 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | – | $910 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | – | $923 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $947 | $922 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $934 | $934 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $948 | $953 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $953 | $960 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $965 | $963 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $972 | $972 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $975 | $990 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $974 | $993 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $997 | $992 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,001 | $1,009 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $985 | $1,031 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,000 | $1,032 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,025 | $1,031 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,040 | $1,050 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,048 | $1,072 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,048 | $1,092 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,063 | $1,083 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,074 | $1,109 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,101 | $1,156 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,117 | $1,179 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,139 | $1,192 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,154 | $1,219 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,189 | $1,269 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,209 | $1,293 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,223 | $1,288 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,254 | $1,307 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,288 | $1,344 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,322 | $1,348 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,310 | $1,356 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,343 | $1,374 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,368 | $1,408 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,391 | $1,419 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,438 | $1,412 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,419 | $1,445 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,465 | $1,470 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,495 | $1,477 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,525 | $1,472 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,531 | $1,490 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,537 | $1,519 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,563 | $1,534 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $325,000 in Kansas City vs $336,000 in Lawrence
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Lawrence, KS
- Kansas City, MO
- 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
| Lawrence, KS | Kansas City, MO | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $170K | $152K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $171K | $154K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $170K | $157K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $173K | $160K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $177K | $163K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $180K | $166K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $180K | $169K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $182K | $172K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $184K | $176K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $188K | $180K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $189K | $182K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $192K | $185K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $195K | $190K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $199K | $194K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $201K | $197K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $201K | $199K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $204K | $202K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $208K | $205K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $210K | $205K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $213K | $208K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $216K | $213K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $219K | $216K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $225K | $221K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $233K | $232K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $241K | $241K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $255K | $254K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $260K | $258K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $263K | $260K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $274K | $273K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $284K | $285K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $285K | $285K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $284K | $284K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $287K | $286K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $294K | $292K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $300K | $297K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $301K | $299K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $303K | $301K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $307K | $304K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $312K | $306K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $318K | $309K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $321K | $311K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $321K | $310K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $324K | $313K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $328K | $317K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $331K | $320K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $332K | $321K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $336K | $325K | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Lawrence, KS
- Cost of living in Kansas City, MO
- Reverse: moving from Kansas City to Lawrence
Related comparisons
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.