CostIndexUSA

Ann Arbor, MI vs Lawrence, KS Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MI
Ann Arbor
100.9
overall index
$2,050/mo rent
More AffordableKS
Lawrence
90.2
overall index
$1,475/mo rent

Lawrence is moderately cheaper than Ann Arbor — 10.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Ann Arbor, you would need $71,500 in Lawrence. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing42.9%
Ann Arbor
125.3
Lawrence
71.6
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Ann Arbor
93.7
Lawrence
94
🚗 Transportation5.7%
Ann Arbor
104.5
Lawrence
98.5
🏥 Healthcare5.8%
Ann Arbor
94.6
Lawrence
89.1
Utilities9.1%
Ann Arbor
98.2
Lawrence
89.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Ann Arbor to see what you'd need to earn in Lawrence to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Lawrence, KS
$71,500
$8,500 less needed in Lawrence

Formula: salary × (90.2 ÷ 100.9) = salary × 0.8940. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Ann Arbor, MI

Median Home Price
$398,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,050
Housing Index
125.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Lawrence, KS

Median Home Price
$320,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,475
Housing Index
71.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.1×

Ann Arbor has 42.9% lower housing costs compared to Lawrence.

Income & Job Market

Ann Arbor, MI

Median Household Income
$83,800
Per Capita Income
$47,800
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
Population
123,851
Top Industries
EducationTechnologyHealthcareManufacturingResearch

Lawrence, KS

Median Household Income
$67,000
Per Capita Income
$38,200
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
Population
98,004
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnologyRetailManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Ann Arbor, MI
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Lawrence, KS
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.