Lawrence, IN vs New Castle, IN

The cost of living difference between Lawrence, IN and New Castle, IN is dramatic. New Castle is 30.2% cheaper than Lawrence, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Lawrence has a cost index of 84 while New Castle sits at 65, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Lawrence is $1,084/month compared to $797/month in New Castle — a 36% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Castle is more affordable at $95,100 median vs $220,400.

Median household income in Lawrence is $73,455 compared to $48,977 in New Castle (+50%). While Lawrence is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Lawrence spend roughly 17.7% of their income on rent, less than the 19.5% in New Castle.