CostIndexUSA

Lawrence, KS vs Little Rock, AR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

KS
Lawrence
90.2
overall index
$1,475/mo rent
More AffordableAR
Little Rock
89.4
overall index
$1,200/mo rent

Little Rock is slightly cheaper than Lawrence — 0.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lawrence, you would need $79,300 in Little Rock. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing4.6%
Lawrence
71.6
Little Rock
68.3
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Lawrence
94
Little Rock
93.6
🚗 Transportation+1.6%
Lawrence
98.5
Little Rock
100.1
🏥 Healthcare+1.6%
Lawrence
89.1
Little Rock
90.5
Utilities16.5%
Lawrence
89.3
Little Rock
74.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Little Rock, AR
$79,300
$700 less needed in Little Rock

Formula: salary × (89.4 ÷ 90.2) = salary × 0.9911. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Lawrence, KS

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

Little Rock, AR

Median Home Price
$222,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,200
Housing Index
68.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.4×

Lawrence has 4.6% lower housing costs compared to Little Rock.

Income & Job Market

Lawrence, KS

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

Little Rock, AR

Median Household Income
$66,200
Per Capita Income
$37,700
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
202,591
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareRetailFinanceManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

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

Lawrence, KS
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Little Rock, AR
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.