City Comparison
Lawrence vs Mishawaka
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mishawaka scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lawrence
Mishawaka
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mishawaka is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Lawrence.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lawrence's average rent is
19% higher than Mishawaka's.
| Metric | Lawrence | Mishawaka | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,050 | +19% |
| Groceries | $380 | $390 | -3% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $115 | $115 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,150 | $1,960 | +10% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lawrence offers 9% 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 Mishawaka.
| Metric | Lawrence | Mishawaka |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $56,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,304 idx | 60,870 idx |
| Household Income | $63,500 | $54,291 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.9°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Mishawaka sees 22.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lawrence | Mishawaka |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.80°F | 50.90°F |
| Summer High | 83.70°F | 81.60°F |
| Winter Low | 20.90°F | 18.80°F |
| Rainfall | 42.10 in | 37.20 in |
| Snowfall | 18.30 in | 40.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 240 | 240 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Mishawaka has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Lawrence.
For walkability, Mishawaka leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lawrence | Mishawaka |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 53.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mishawaka is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Lawrence.
From a growth perspective, Lawrence is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Mishawaka has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lawrence | Mishawaka |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,312 | 51,021 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.27% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 36.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.10% |
| 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.
Mishawaka
Advantages
Median home prices and overall living costs remain significantly more affordable than the national average.
Extensive outdoor recreation is available via the scenic Riverwalk trail system along the St. Joseph River.
Proximity to the University of Notre Dame provides easy access to major collegiate sports, arts, and cultural events.
Strategic Midwestern location offers rapid highway access to Chicago, Indianapolis, and the Michigan border.
Comprehensive local healthcare infrastructure is anchored by the modern Franciscan Health Mishawaka facility.
Drawbacks
Winters feature heavy lake-effect snowfall, requiring active municipal snow removal and winter driving preparedness.
Public transit options are limited outside of main bus routes, resulting in high car dependency for daily commutes.
Local median household income trails state and national benchmarks, constraining broader wage growth.
Poverty rates in select older urban residential pockets slightly exceed national averages.
Retail-heavy corridors like Grape Road experience notable traffic congestion during peak holiday and weekend shopping hours.
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
Mishawaka
#305Indiana, USA
61.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,050
Avg Salary
$56,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
53.0/100
Sunny Days
240/yr
Avg Temp
50.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.27%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
75
Business
70
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