Cost of Living in Lawrence, KS
Lawrence, KS — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Lawrence, KS to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
Prices in Lawrence, KS vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 90.2 | −9.8% |
| Housing | 71.6 | −28.4% |
| Goods | 94.0 | −6.0% |
| Utilities | 89.3 | −10.7% |
| Other services | 93.8 | −6.2% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Lawrence, KS
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $895 | $35,800/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,006 | $40,240/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,182 | $47,280/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,644 | $65,760/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,983 | $79,320/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Take-home pay in Lawrence, KS
- Federal income tax$3,507
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,938
- Medicare (1.45%)$687
- Kansas income tax$1,845
- Take-home pay$38,413
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.58% state
Highest-paying jobs in Lawrence, KS
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lawrence, KS expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Lawrence, KS metro area are 90.2% of the U.S. average, with housing at 71.6%. It is the #284 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Lawrence, KS?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $54,146 in Lawrence, KS (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $47,390.
How much is rent in Lawrence, KS?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Lawrence, KS are $895 for a studio, $1,006 for one bedroom, $1,182 for two bedrooms and $1,644 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
All salaries in Lawrence, KS
Management Occupations
- General and Operations Manager — $85,110
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $50,310
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $22,360
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Registered Nurse — $78,020
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Nursing Assistant — $38,520
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $30,700
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $38,440
- Waiter and Waitress — $37,230
- Cooks, Restaurant — $35,140
- Bartender — $29,980
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $28,320
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
Sales and Related Occupations
- Retail Salesperson — $31,320
- Cashier — $29,270
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $48,290
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $42,630
- Customer Service Representative — $37,800
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $48,020
Production Occupations
- Printing Press Operator — $41,890
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $43,190
- Stocker and Order Filler — $36,340