Rows tagged local are specific to Lawrence (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Indianapolis, IN. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 5/10 (district MSD Lawrence Township · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
94.7
metro-area
#89 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
94.8
metro-area
#63 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.39
metro-area
#89 of 200 metros
Median household income
$70,762
local
#2194 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$41,450
local
#1987 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
36.7 years
metro-area
#53 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
37.9%
metro-area
#55 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
8.4%
metro-area
#97 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
66.6%
metro-area
#98 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
5.38%
local
#1935 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+2.4%
local
#1841 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$193,100
local
#548 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
2.7×
local
#418 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+1.3%
metro-area
#102 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$102
local
#506 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,901 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,064
local
#582 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
7,793
Median days on market
11
metro-area
#57 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
9.3%
state
#58 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
7.00%
state
#64 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
3.00%
Capital gains tax
3.05%
state
#49 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
0.92%
local
#1477 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$1,783
local
#505 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
75.6 years
metro-area
#133 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,600
state
#65 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
7.7%
metro-area
#89 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
86
metro-area
#49 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$12,000
state
#110 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$200
state
#135 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
1.20% of value (~$336/yr)
state
#155 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
20
Avg commute to work
25 min
local
#1162 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
74.5%
metro-area
#90 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
37.4%
metro-area
#148 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
17.9¢/kWh
state
#122 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$161
state
#122 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.30/gal
state
#94 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$72
state
#100 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$102
state
#93 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$81
state
#121 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,600
state
#80 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,400
state
#18 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
83.9 — Relatively Moderate
metro-area
#55 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$600
state
#16 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
55
metro-area
#175 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
900
metro-area
#66 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
94%
state
#64 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
5,700
metro-area
#141 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
10
metro-area
#45 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
0
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
86°F
metro-area
#87 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
20°F
metro-area
#147 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
43.6"
metro-area
#101 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
25.5"
metro-area
#137 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
55%
metro-area
#150 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
6a
Frost window
04-30 → 10-15
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
360
state
#61 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,000
state
#83 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
88
metro-area
#89 of 200 metros
Parks
150
Hiking areas
23
Golf courses
32
Shooting ranges
9
Lakes
24
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#1 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.