City Comparison
Jeffersonville vs Lawrence
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Jeffersonville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Jeffersonville
Lawrence
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lawrence is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in Jeffersonville.
| Metric | Jeffersonville | Lawrence | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,250 | +8% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $115 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,235 | $2,150 | +4% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lawrence offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lawrence delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Jeffersonville is estimated at
$50,000 vs $52,000 in Lawrence.
| Metric | Jeffersonville | Lawrence |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $61,000 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,043 idx | 66,304 idx |
| Household Income | $64,500 | $63,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 4°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Jeffersonville sees 0.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Jeffersonville | Lawrence |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.80°F | 53.80°F |
| Summer High | 86.20°F | 83.70°F |
| Winter Low | 26.80°F | 20.90°F |
| Rainfall | 52.90 in | 42.10 in |
| Snowfall | 18.70 in | 18.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 238 | 240 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Jeffersonville has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Lawrence.
Lawrence scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Jeffersonville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Jeffersonville | Lawrence |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Jeffersonville is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Jeffersonville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Jeffersonville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Jeffersonville | Lawrence |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 49,870 | 48,312 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Jeffersonville
Advantages
Affordable housing market with median home values comfortably below the national average per Zillow data
Prime location along the Ohio River with direct pedestrian and cycling access to Louisville via the Big Four Bridge
Rapid job growth and economic momentum driven by the continued expansion of the River Ridge Commerce Center
Vibrant and revitalized historic downtown district featuring local dining, craft breweries, and community events
Family-friendly residential neighborhoods featuring low crime rates and strong community engagement
Drawbacks
High car dependency outside of the walkable historic downtown core
Above-average annual rainfall of 52.9 inches requiring attentive property drainage management
Traffic congestion during peak morning and evening commute hours on major bridge routes into Louisville
Limited local public mass transit options for getting around without a personal vehicle
Upward pressure on rental and housing costs driven by steady regional population influx
Lawrence
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain comfortably below the national average per US Census and Zillow data.
Direct access to the 1,700-acre Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park providing extensive outdoor recreation.
Convenient location just northeast of downtown Indianapolis offering easy commuting and metropolitan access.
Diverse and welcoming community with active local civic engagement and family-oriented neighborhoods.
Solid local educational options and proximity to top-tier higher education institutions in Marion County.
Drawbacks
Car dependency is high, with limited public transit infrastructure outside of major commuter routes.
Crime rates in certain pockets of the city require careful neighborhood selection for prospective residents.
Property tax rates in Marion County can occasionally offset some of the savings from lower home purchase prices.
Retail and dining options within city limits are somewhat limited compared to central Indianapolis.
Winter weather brings cold temperatures and snowfall averaging around 18 inches annually.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Jeffersonville
#169Indiana, USA
64.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
238/yr
Avg Temp
57.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
73
Business
70
Lawrence
#352Indiana, USA
59.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$61,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
240/yr
Avg Temp
53.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
73
Business
67
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