CostIndexUSA

Lawrence, KS vs Plano, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableKS
Lawrence
90.2
overall index
$1,475/mo rent
TX
Plano
103.1
overall index
$1,775/mo rent

Lawrence is moderately cheaper than Plano — 14.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lawrence, you would need $91,400 in Plano. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+64.7%
Lawrence
71.6
Plano
117.9
🛒 Groceries+9.4%
Lawrence
94
Plano
102.8
🚗 Transportation+6.3%
Lawrence
98.5
Plano
104.7
🏥 Healthcare+6.3%
Lawrence
89.1
Plano
94.7
Utilities+1.6%
Lawrence
89.3
Plano
90.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Plano, TX
$91,400
$11,400 more needed in Plano

Formula: salary × (103.1 ÷ 90.2) = salary × 1.1430. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Lawrence, KS

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

Plano, TX

Median Home Price
$450,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
117.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.1×

Plano has 64.7% higher housing costs compared to Lawrence.

Income & Job Market

Lawrence, KS

Median Household Income
$67,000
Per Capita Income
$38,200
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
Population
98,004
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnologyRetailManufacturing

Plano, TX

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
285,494
Top Industries
TechnologyFinanceHealthcareTelecommunicationsRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Lawrence, KS
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Plano, TX
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.