Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$65,009$5,417 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Lawrence, KS
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Lawrence, KS
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Lawrence, KS MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $895 | $10,740 | $35,800 | 16.5% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,006 | $12,072 | $40,240 | 18.6% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,182 | $14,184 | $47,280 | 21.8% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,644 | $19,728 | $65,760 | 30.3% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,983 | $23,796 | $79,320 | 36.6% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Lawrence, KS
Based on the local median household income of $65,009/year ($5,417/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Kansas
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Kansas state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Kansas with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Lawrence, KS
What is the median household income in Lawrence, KS?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Lawrence, KS is $65,009 per year (approximately $5,417 per month).
What is the average rent in Lawrence, KS?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Lawrence, KS are $895 for a studio, $1,006 for 1 bedroom, $1,182 for 2 bedrooms, $1,644 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,983 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Lawrence, KS compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Lawrence, KS is 90.2 (9.8% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Lawrence, KS?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,182/month) in Lawrence, KS requires a minimum gross household income of $47,280 per year ($3,940 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Lawrence, KS?
For a typical household earning the median income of $65,009/year ($5,417/month) in Lawrence, KS, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,709/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,625/month to discretionary spending, and $1,083/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Lawrence, KS?
Residential electricity rates in Kansas average 15.7¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $141 per month.