City Comparison
Lawrence vs Hammond
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lawrence scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lawrence
Hammond
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Lawrence | Hammond | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,250 | 0% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $115 | $110 | +5% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,150 | $2,145 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 88 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lawrence offers 5% higher 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 Lawrence is estimated at
$52,000 vs $48,000 in Hammond.
| Metric | Lawrence | Hammond |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,304 idx | 65,909 idx |
| Household Income | $63,500 | $54,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.3°F of each other.
For sunshine, Hammond comes out ahead with 20 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Hammond sees 9.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lawrence | Hammond |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.80°F | 51.50°F |
| Summer High | 83.70°F | 81.80°F |
| Winter Low | 20.90°F | 18.50°F |
| Rainfall | 42.10 in | 33.50 in |
| Snowfall | 18.30 in | 28.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 240 | 260 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Hammond scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hammond leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lawrence | Hammond |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hammond is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x 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 | Lawrence | Hammond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,312 | 77,879 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.50% |
| 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.
Hammond
Advantages
Significantly lower housing and cost of living compared to nearby Chicago
Excellent commuter rail access via the South Shore Line
Abundant recreational opportunities at Wolf Lake and Hammond Marina
Presence of Purdue University Northwest fostering educational and cultural vitality
Strategic location with robust highway and freight logistics infrastructure
Drawbacks
Property tax rates can fluctuate based on local municipal and school district bonds
Certain commercial corridors experience higher property vacancy rates requiring ongoing revitalization
Winters can be harsh with significant snowfall driven by lake-effect weather patterns
Industrial legacy requires continuous environmental monitoring and remediation efforts
Average household incomes trail the broader national metropolitan average
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
Hammond
#401Indiana, USA
58.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
260/yr
Avg Temp
51.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
70
Business
65
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