City Comparison
Gary vs Lawrence
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lawrence scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Gary
Lawrence
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gary is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Lawrence.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gary's average rent is
24% lower than Lawrence's.
| Metric | Gary | Lawrence | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,250 | -24% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $115 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $1,835 | $2,150 | -15% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lawrence offers 26% 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 Gary is estimated at
$42,000 vs $52,000 in Lawrence.
| Metric | Gary | Lawrence |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $61,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,878 idx | 66,304 idx |
| Household Income | $37,500 | $63,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Gary comes out ahead with 25 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Gary sees 12.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Gary | Lawrence |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.70°F | 53.80°F |
| Summer High | 81.10°F | 83.70°F |
| Winter Low | 19.60°F | 20.90°F |
| Rainfall | 32.30 in | 42.10 in |
| Snowfall | 30.70 in | 18.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 265 | 240 |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
| Metric | Gary | Lawrence |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gary is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Lawrence.
From a growth perspective, Lawrence is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Lawrence has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Gary | Lawrence |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 69,093 | 48,312 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 6.20% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Gary
Advantages
Median home prices in Gary are significantly lower than the national average, per recent Zillow and Redfin housing market data.
Strategic geographic location offers direct proximity to Chicago via major rail and interstate transportation corridors.
Abundant natural recreational assets, including direct access to Lake Michigan beaches and proximity to the Indiana Dunes National Park.
Exceptional industrial and logistics infrastructure, anchored by the Gary/Chicago International Airport and major freight rail lines.
Rich cultural history and community legacy as a prominent center for music, arts, and civil rights history in the Midwest.
Drawbacks
Violent and property crime rates remain higher than the national median, according to FBI crime reporting data.
High concentration of vacant properties and urban blight presents ongoing challenges for municipal redevelopment.
Median household income trails behind state and national averages, reflecting post-industrial economic transitions.
Aging municipal infrastructure requires continuous capital investment for modernization and maintenance.
Limited local retail and dining options within city limits compared to adjacent suburban and metropolitan municipalities.
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.
Gary
#593Indiana, USA
42.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
265/yr
Avg Temp
51.70°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
6.20%
Livability
53
Business
48
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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