Lawrence, KS vs Leavenworth, KS

Leavenworth is moderately more affordable than Lawrence, with a 5.4% lower cost of living index. Lawrence scores 86 compared to 81 for Leavenworth, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Lawrence can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Lawrence is $1,054/month compared to $1,135/month in Leavenworth — a 7% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lawrence has cheaper rent, Leavenworth actually has lower median home values ($176,000 vs $269,500).

Median household income in Lawrence is $62,838 compared to $71,239 in Leavenworth (-11.8%). Leavenworth offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Lawrence spend roughly 20.1% of their income on rent, more than the 19.1% in Leavenworth.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (55.2°F vs 54.7°F). Leavenworth receives more rainfall at 39.3" per year compared to 35.6" in Lawrence.