CostIndexUSA

Bloomington, IN vs Lawrence, KS Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

IN
Bloomington
95.1
overall index
$1,550/mo rent
More AffordableKS
Lawrence
90.2
overall index
$1,475/mo rent

Lawrence is moderately cheaper than Bloomington — 5.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bloomington, you would need $75,900 in Lawrence. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing16.4%
Bloomington
85.6
Lawrence
71.6
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Bloomington
94.3
Lawrence
94
🚗 Transportation5.4%
Bloomington
104.1
Lawrence
98.5
🏥 Healthcare5.4%
Bloomington
94.2
Lawrence
89.1
Utilities+3.2%
Bloomington
86.5
Lawrence
89.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Lawrence, KS
$75,900
$4,100 less needed in Lawrence

Formula: salary × (90.2 ÷ 95.1) = salary × 0.9485. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Bloomington, IN

Median Home Price
$288,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,550
Housing Index
85.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.5×

Lawrence, KS

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

Bloomington has 16.4% lower housing costs compared to Lawrence.

Income & Job Market

Bloomington, IN

Median Household Income
$58,700
Per Capita Income
$33,500
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
79,168
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnologyGovernmentRetail

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).

Bloomington, IN
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

68% 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.