City Comparison
Anderson vs Lawrence
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Anderson scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Anderson
Lawrence
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lawrence is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Anderson.
Housing costs are a major driver: Anderson's average rent is
23% lower than Lawrence's.
| Metric | Anderson | Lawrence | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $957 | $1,250 | -23% |
| Groceries | $401 | $380 | +6% |
| Utilities | $180 | $175 | +3% |
| Transport | $381 | $115 | +231% |
| Healthcare | $276 | $230 | +20% |
| Monthly Total | $2,195 | $2,150 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lawrence offers 18% 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 Anderson is estimated at
$34,800 vs $52,000 in Lawrence.
| Metric | Anderson | Lawrence |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $50,050 | $61,000 |
| Salary Needed | $34,800 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,583 idx | 66,304 idx |
| Household Income | $46,909 | $63,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Anderson sees 1.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Anderson | Lawrence |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.80°F | 53.80°F |
| Summer High | 82.50°F | 83.70°F |
| Winter Low | 19.90°F | 20.90°F |
| Rainfall | 36.20 in | 42.10 in |
| Snowfall | 19.40 in | 18.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 241 | 240 |
| Humidity | 73.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Lawrence scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Anderson leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Anderson | Lawrence |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 47.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Anderson is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Lawrence.
From a growth perspective, Lawrence is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Anderson has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Anderson | Lawrence |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,404 | 48,312 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.45% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 38.9 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.70% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Anderson
Advantages
Housing costs are significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
The overall cost of living in Anderson is 16% lower than the national average.
The city offers practical access to jobs and regional commuting convenience due to its location on the I-69 corridor.
Healthcare costs are more affordable than the US average, with two local hospitals providing comprehensive services.
Anderson has a diverse range of local amenities, parks, and cultural attractions, contributing to a balanced lifestyle.
Drawbacks
The median household income in Anderson is lower than the national and state averages.
The poverty rate in Anderson is higher than the state average.
While public transit exists, the city is largely car-dependent, with most residents driving to work.
Rent prices have seen a recent increase, with a 6.4% rise year over year as of October 2026.
The average salary in Anderson is lower than the national average.
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.
Anderson
#109Indiana, USA
67.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$957
Avg Salary
$50,050
Cost Index
84
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
47.0/100
Sunny Days
241/yr
Avg Temp
52.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.45%
Unemployment
3.70%
Livability
74
Business
68
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Anderson and Lawrence.
Open Cost Calculator