CostIndexUSA

Lawrence, KS vs Spokane, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableKS
Lawrence
90.2
overall index
$1,475/mo rent
WA
Spokane
100.3
overall index
$1,475/mo rent

Lawrence is moderately cheaper than Spokane — 11.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lawrence, you would need $89,000 in Spokane. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+35.6%
Lawrence
71.6
Spokane
97.1
🛒 Groceries+11.7%
Lawrence
94
Spokane
105
🚗 Transportation+6.0%
Lawrence
98.5
Spokane
104.4
🏥 Healthcare+6.1%
Lawrence
89.1
Spokane
94.5
Utilities+2.1%
Lawrence
89.3
Spokane
91.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Spokane, WA
$89,000
$9,000 more needed in Spokane

Formula: salary × (100.3 ÷ 90.2) = salary × 1.1120. 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×

Spokane, WA

Median Home Price
$406,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,475
Housing Index
97.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.9×

Spokane has 35.6% 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

Spokane, WA

Median Household Income
$72,800
Per Capita Income
$41,500
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
228,989
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationGovernmentManufacturingRetail

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)

Spokane, WA
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.