City Comparison
Lawrence vs Kokomo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kokomo scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lawrence
Kokomo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Kokomo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Lawrence.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lawrence's average rent is
32% higher than Kokomo's.
| Metric | Lawrence | Kokomo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $950 | +32% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $170 | +3% |
| Transport | $115 | $110 | +5% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,150 | $1,830 | +17% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lawrence offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Kokomo delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lawrence is estimated at
$52,000 vs $45,000 in Kokomo.
| Metric | Lawrence | Kokomo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,304 idx | 69,048 idx |
| Household Income | $63,500 | $57,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Kokomo sees 4.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lawrence | Kokomo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.80°F | 52.60°F |
| Summer High | 83.70°F | 82.00°F |
| Winter Low | 20.90°F | 19.30°F |
| Rainfall | 42.10 in | 32.40 in |
| Snowfall | 18.30 in | 22.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 240 | 247 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Kokomo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Lawrence.
Lawrence scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Lawrence | Kokomo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kokomo is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Lawrence.
From a growth perspective, Lawrence is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kokomo has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lawrence | Kokomo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,312 | 59,610 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 39.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Kokomo
Advantages
Median home prices are substantially lower than the national average, per recent Zillow housing data.
Major investments in EV battery manufacturing are driving modern industrial job growth in the region.
An affordable cost of living allows residents to enjoy strong purchasing power on housing and everyday goods.
Abundant local parks, sports complexes, and the Wildcat Creek trail system support an active outdoor lifestyle.
Convenient access via US-31 allows for easy commuting and travel to the greater Indianapolis metropolitan area.
Drawbacks
Public transportation options are limited, making car ownership practically mandatory for daily life.
Local employment remains heavily tied to the automotive and manufacturing sectors, creating cyclical economic exposure.
Extreme winter weather conditions include regular snowfall and freezing temperatures requiring winter preparedness.
Entertainment and nightlife options are limited compared to larger metropolitan hubs.
Average educational attainment rates trail national benchmarks in certain specialized technical fields.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Kokomo
#216Indiana, USA
63.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
247/yr
Avg Temp
52.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
73
Business
67
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