Lawrence, KS vs Wichita, KS: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Wichita, KS is 1.4% less expensive than Lawrence, KS (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Lawrence works out to about $73,900 in Wichita, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 7.5% less in Wichita. Goods are 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $1,206 a month in Wichita and $1,563 in Lawrence, $4,284 a year less in Wichita (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $222,000 in Wichita and $336,000 in Lawrence.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (0.1%).
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: 7.5% lower in Wichita than in Lawrence
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Lawrence, KS
- Wichita, KS
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Lawrence, KS | Wichita, KS | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 90.2 | 88.9 |
| Goods | 94.0 | 94.0 |
| Housing (rents) | 71.6 | 66.2 |
| Utilities | 89.3 | 88.5 |
| Other services | 93.8 | 93.8 |
| Category | Lawrence | Wichita | Wichita vs Lawrence |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 90.2 | 88.9 | −1.4% |
| Goods | 94.0 | 94.0 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 71.6 | 66.2 | −7.5% |
| Utilities | 89.3 | 88.5 | −0.9% |
| Other services | 93.8 | 93.8 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,563 | $1,206 | −22.8% |
| Typical home value | $336,000 | $222,000 | −33.8% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Lawrence | $75,000 | $73,900 | −1.4% |
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 Wichita has narrowed since 2008: 4.0 points then, 1.3 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Lawrence, KS
- Wichita, KS
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Lawrence, KS | Wichita, KS | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.2 | 94.2 |
| 2009 | 97.7 | 93.7 |
| 2010 | 97.5 | 93.3 |
| 2011 | 95.9 | 92.4 |
| 2012 | 96.0 | 92.5 |
| 2013 | 96.1 | 93.3 |
| 2014 | 96.5 | 92.5 |
| 2015 | 93.1 | 91.6 |
| 2016 | 94.1 | 92.1 |
| 2017 | 94.3 | 91.2 |
| 2018 | 94.3 | 91.1 |
| 2019 | 92.2 | 92.3 |
| 2020 | 94.0 | 92.0 |
| 2021 | 92.8 | 91.0 |
| 2022 | 92.2 | 88.8 |
| 2023 | 90.9 | 89.4 |
| 2024 | 90.2 | 88.9 |
Goods
- Lawrence, KS
- Wichita, KS
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Lawrence, KS | Wichita, KS | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.7 | 97.8 |
| 2009 | 97.7 | 97.2 |
| 2010 | 96.4 | 96.3 |
| 2011 | 96.1 | 96.1 |
| 2012 | 97.2 | 97.2 |
| 2013 | 97.0 | 96.9 |
| 2014 | 98.2 | 98.1 |
| 2015 | 97.8 | 97.7 |
| 2016 | 97.0 | 96.9 |
| 2017 | 95.5 | 95.4 |
| 2018 | 95.0 | 95.0 |
| 2019 | 97.1 | 97.1 |
| 2020 | 95.9 | 95.9 |
| 2021 | 93.8 | 93.8 |
| 2022 | 93.6 | 93.6 |
| 2023 | 96.5 | 96.5 |
| 2024 | 94.0 | 94.0 |
Housing (rents)
- Lawrence, KS
- Wichita, KS
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Lawrence, KS | Wichita, KS | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 92.3 | 72.0 |
| 2009 | 91.8 | 70.8 |
| 2010 | 96.3 | 72.8 |
| 2011 | 95.2 | 75.2 |
| 2012 | 91.1 | 71.3 |
| 2013 | 89.0 | 74.4 |
| 2014 | 93.3 | 70.7 |
| 2015 | 76.9 | 71.6 |
| 2016 | 83.1 | 73.3 |
| 2017 | 88.5 | 72.1 |
| 2018 | 83.1 | 66.0 |
| 2019 | 68.7 | 69.8 |
| 2020 | 80.2 | 71.3 |
| 2021 | 78.3 | 69.9 |
| 2022 | 84.8 | 67.4 |
| 2023 | 74.1 | 66.0 |
| 2024 | 71.6 | 66.2 |
Utilities
- Lawrence, KS
- Wichita, KS
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Lawrence, KS | Wichita, KS | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 93.8 | 89.5 |
| 2009 | 97.5 | 92.8 |
| 2010 | 91.7 | 90.5 |
| 2011 | 94.1 | 92.9 |
| 2012 | 94.9 | 94.0 |
| 2013 | 95.9 | 95.4 |
| 2014 | 89.1 | 89.7 |
| 2015 | 87.6 | 89.2 |
| 2016 | 86.8 | 88.8 |
| 2017 | 94.2 | 95.7 |
| 2018 | 105.1 | 104.0 |
| 2019 | 101.8 | 99.5 |
| 2020 | 104.7 | 101.4 |
| 2021 | 105.3 | 100.4 |
| 2022 | 107.5 | 102.6 |
| 2023 | 92.8 | 90.7 |
| 2024 | 89.3 | 88.5 |
Other services
- Lawrence, KS
- Wichita, KS
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Lawrence, KS | Wichita, KS | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 100.0 | 99.8 |
| 2009 | 99.8 | 99.6 |
| 2010 | 99.1 | 98.9 |
| 2011 | 96.1 | 96.0 |
| 2012 | 96.9 | 96.8 |
| 2013 | 97.7 | 97.6 |
| 2014 | 96.9 | 96.8 |
| 2015 | 95.2 | 95.1 |
| 2016 | 96.3 | 96.0 |
| 2017 | 95.4 | 95.1 |
| 2018 | 97.0 | 97.0 |
| 2019 | 97.0 | 97.0 |
| 2020 | 97.1 | 97.1 |
| 2021 | 96.6 | 96.6 |
| 2022 | 92.9 | 92.9 |
| 2023 | 93.0 | 93.0 |
| 2024 | 93.8 | 93.8 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,206 in Wichita vs $1,563 in Lawrence
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Lawrence, KS
- Wichita, 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
| Lawrence, KS | Wichita, KS | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | – | $759 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | – | $766 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | – | $772 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | – | $770 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | – | $770 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | – | $770 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | – | $776 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $947 | $776 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $934 | $782 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $948 | $793 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $953 | $791 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $965 | $787 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $972 | $796 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $975 | $802 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $974 | $807 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $997 | $801 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,001 | $811 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $985 | $824 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,000 | $833 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,025 | $831 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,040 | $838 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,048 | $856 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,048 | $871 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,063 | $871 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,074 | $884 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,101 | $920 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,117 | $940 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,139 | $950 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,154 | $969 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,189 | $993 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,209 | $1,017 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,223 | $1,022 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,254 | $1,041 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,288 | $1,062 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,322 | $1,074 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,310 | $1,075 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,343 | $1,090 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,368 | $1,106 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,391 | $1,114 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,438 | $1,112 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,419 | $1,123 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,465 | $1,134 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,495 | $1,156 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,525 | $1,155 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,531 | $1,178 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,537 | $1,192 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,563 | $1,206 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $222,000 in Wichita vs $336,000 in Lawrence
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Lawrence, KS
- Wichita, 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
| Lawrence, KS | Wichita, KS | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $170K | $115K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $171K | $117K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $170K | $119K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $173K | $120K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $177K | $121K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $180K | $122K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $180K | $122K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $182K | $124K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $184K | $124K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $188K | $126K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $189K | $127K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $192K | $128K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $195K | $130K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $199K | $131K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $201K | $132K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $201K | $134K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $204K | $135K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $208K | $137K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $210K | $140K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $213K | $143K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $216K | $147K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $219K | $149K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $225K | $154K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $233K | $157K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $241K | $160K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $255K | $166K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $260K | $171K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $263K | $175K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $274K | $182K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $284K | $189K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $285K | $191K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $284K | $193K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $287K | $195K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $294K | $201K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $300K | $204K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $301K | $203K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $303K | $206K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $307K | $212K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $312K | $216K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $318K | $217K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $321K | $216K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $321K | $214K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $324K | $216K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $328K | $219K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $331K | $222K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $332K | $222K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $336K | $222K | $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.