CostIndexUSA

Atlanta, GA vs Lawrence, KS Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

GA
Atlanta
100.1
overall index
$1,800/mo rent
More AffordableKS
Lawrence
90.2
overall index
$1,475/mo rent

Lawrence is moderately cheaper than Atlanta — 9.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Atlanta, you would need $72,100 in Lawrence. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing35.5%
Atlanta
111
Lawrence
71.6
🛒 Groceries6.4%
Atlanta
100.4
Lawrence
94
🚗 Transportation3.0%
Atlanta
101.5
Lawrence
98.5
🏥 Healthcare3.0%
Atlanta
91.9
Lawrence
89.1
Utilities7.2%
Atlanta
96.2
Lawrence
89.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Lawrence, KS
$72,100
$7,900 less needed in Lawrence

Formula: salary × (90.2 ÷ 100.1) = salary × 0.9011. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Atlanta, GA

Median Home Price
$374,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,800
Housing Index
111
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.3×

Lawrence, KS

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

Atlanta has 35.5% lower housing costs compared to Lawrence.

Income & Job Market

Atlanta, GA

Median Household Income
$86,500
Per Capita Income
$49,300
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
498,715
Top Industries
FinanceTechnologyMediaHealthcareLogistics

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).

Atlanta, GA
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.