CostIndexUSA

Champaign, IL vs Lawrence, KS Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

IL
Champaign
92.7
overall index
$1,275/mo rent
More AffordableKS
Lawrence
90.2
overall index
$1,475/mo rent

Lawrence is slightly cheaper than Champaign — 2.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Champaign, you would need $77,800 in Lawrence. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing≈ Equal
Champaign
71.6
Lawrence
71.6
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Champaign
93.6
Lawrence
94
🚗 Transportation−5.8%
Champaign
104.6
Lawrence
98.5
🏥 Healthcare−5.8%
Champaign
94.6
Lawrence
89.1
⚡ Utilities−1.3%
Champaign
90.5
Lawrence
89.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
→
Equivalent salary in Lawrence, KS
$77,800
$2,200 less needed in Lawrence

Formula: salary × (90.2 ÷ 92.7) = salary × 0.9730. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Champaign, IL

Median Home Price
$224,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,275
Housing Index
71.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.6×

Lawrence, KS

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

Income & Job Market

Champaign, IL

Median Household Income
$62,100
Per Capita Income
$35,400
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
88,302
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnologyAgricultureRetail

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).

Champaign, IL
4.1×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)

Champaign vs other cities

Champaign, IL
vs
Aurora, IL
Index: 92.7Index: 103.6
Champaign, IL
vs
Bloomington, IL
Index: 92.7Index: 93.5
Champaign, IL
vs
Chicago, IL
Index: 92.7Index: 103.6
Champaign, IL
vs
Santa Barbara, CA
Index: 92.7Index: 108.8
Champaign, IL
vs
Fort Smith, AR
Index: 92.7Index: 85.9

Lawrence vs other cities

Lawrence, KS
vs
Overland Park, KS
Index: 90.2Index: 92.5
Lawrence, KS
vs
Topeka, KS
Index: 90.2Index: 88.8
Lawrence, KS
vs
Wichita, KS
Index: 90.2Index: 88.9
Lawrence, KS
vs
Albany, NY
Index: 90.2Index: 99.6
Lawrence, KS
vs
Roanoke, VA
Index: 90.2Index: 93.6

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.