In Lawrence, a typical home is worth $292,700 and typical rent is $1,091 a month. Compared with all of Douglas County, typical household income is 7% lower, the typical home value is 5% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 6 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $256,979 to $332,513.
Typical rent
$1,580a month
▲ 4.6% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $1,125 to $1,580.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Lawrence is in Douglas County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Douglas County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Lawrence has the 2nd lowest homeownership rate of the 64 cities in Kansas with more than 5,000 people (44%).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Lawrence
What homes there are in Lawrence, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Lawrence
Douglas County
Kansas
United States
Kind of home: Lawrence and its comparisons
Measure
Lawrence
Douglas County
Kansas
United States
Detached house
46%
54%
72%
61%
Attached house
10%
9%
5%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
10%
9%
6%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
32%
27%
13%
19%
Mobile home
2%
2%
4%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
No kind of home is the majority in Lawrence; the largest group, detached houses, adds up to 46%, less than in Douglas County (54%).
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Lawrence
Douglas County
Kansas
United States
Year built: Lawrence and its comparisons
Measure
Lawrence
Douglas County
Kansas
United States
Before 1960
17%
19%
32%
26%
1960–1979
22%
22%
24%
24%
1980–1999
29%
29%
23%
25%
2000–2009
16%
16%
12%
14%
2010 or later
16%
15%
9%
11%
By age, homes in Lawrence look like those in Douglas County: the typical year built is 1988.
Homes in Lawrence are smaller: 52% have 3 bedrooms or more; in Douglas County, 57%.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $100K5%
$100K–$200K18%
$200K–$300K29%
$300K–$500K34%
$500K–$750K12%
FHA limit: $541,287
$750K–$1M1%
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Lawrence and its comparisons
Measure
Lawrence
Under $100K
5%
$100K–$200K
18%
$200K–$300K
29%
$300K–$500K
34%
$500K–$750K
12%
$750K–$1M
1%
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
The FHA loan limit for Douglas County is $541,287, and about 88% of owner-occupied homes in Lawrence are worth less than that.
Monthly rent with utilities
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $5003%
$500–$99940%
$1,000–$1,49937%
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms: $1,272
$1,500–$1,99914%
$2,000–$2,4994%
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or more2%
Monthly rent with utilities: Lawrence and its comparisons
Measure
Lawrence
Under $500
3%
$500–$999
40%
$1,000–$1,499
37%
$1,500–$1,999
14%
$2,000–$2,499
4%
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable estimate
$3,000 or more
2%
HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent (FMR) for Douglas County is $1,272: about 63% of rents in Lawrence are below it.
With a mortgage
$1,904 a month
Douglas County: $1,984 a month
Without a mortgage
$762 a month
Douglas County: $764 a month
Owners with a mortgage
65%
Douglas County: 65%
Owning costs about the same in Lawrence as in Douglas County: with a mortgage, $1,904 a month; without one, $762.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Lawrence+50%
Douglas County+55%
Kansas+43%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Lawrence+18%
Douglas County+19%
Kansas+25%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Lawrence+21%
Douglas County+17%
Kansas+25%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Lawrence and its comparisons
Measure
Lawrence
Douglas County
Kansas
United States
Typical home value
+50%
+55%
+43%
+53%
Typical rent
+18%
+19%
+25%
+33%
Typical household income
+21%
+17%
+25%
+29%
The typical home value in Lawrence rose 50% since 2015–2019, less than in Douglas County (55%).
Much as in Douglas County, the typical rent in Lawrence rose 18% since 2015–2019.
The typical household income in Lawrence rose 21% over that time; home values changed +50% and rent +18%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Lawrence and its comparisons
Measure
Lawrence
Douglas County
Kansas
United States
Rental vacancy
5.8%
5.5%
6.2%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0.9%
0.9%
More than one person per room
2.2%
1.9%
2.1%
3.4%
People per household
2.15
2.21
2.44
2.53
Drive alone
68%
69%
75%
69%
Carpool
7%
7%
9%
9%
Public transit
3%
2%
0%
3%
Walk or bike
6%
5%
3%
3%
Work from home
16%
16%
12%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
Typical commute
10 to 19 minutes
10 to 19 minutes
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
Open rentals in Lawrence look like those in Douglas County: the rental vacancy rate is 5.8%.
Much as in Douglas County, 2.2% of households in Lawrence have more than one person per room.
Much as in Douglas County, a household in Lawrence has 2.15 people on average.
In Lawrence, 68% of workers drive alone to work; in Douglas County, 69%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Lawrence?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Lawrence, worth $292,700, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 46% of the typical household income in Lawrence, which is $65,009 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $107,282 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Douglas County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Lawrence. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $10,245 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$2,503
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$287,398
Total interest
$413,498
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $4,943 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,517 a month
Tight
$1,517 to $1,950 a month
Hard
more than $1,950 a month
Your payment · 46%
Compared with the typical household income in Lawrence ($65,009 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,947
Property tax
$305
Home insurance
$122
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$129
You need at least $10,245 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $2,503; principal and interest $1,947.
The city and its county
Lawrence and Douglas County
Lawrence is in Douglas County, Kansas. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Lawrence
Map of Douglas County, Kansas, with Lawrence marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Lawrence
Douglas County
Other cities with a page
Lawrence's own numbers
Typical home value
$292,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,091
Typical yearly household income
$65,009
Households that own their home
44%
Effective property tax rate
1.25%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Douglas County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,272
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+49%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
0.9%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Douglas County.
A typical home in Lawrence is worth $292,700: 5% below the county and 35% above Kansas. With the typical household income in Lawrence ($65,009 a year), a typical home costs 4.5 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Lawrence4.5 years
Douglas4.4 years
Kansas2.9 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Douglas County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Douglas County rose 84% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Douglas County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Douglas County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +4.5% +4.5% 2016
2017: +3.2% +3.2% 2017
2018: +5.5% +5.5% 2018
2019: +3.9% +3.9% 2019
2020: +4.4% +4.4% 2020
2021: +10.5% +10.5% 2021
2022: +13.7% +13.7% 2022
2023: +8.3% +8.3% 2023
2024: +3.7% +3.7% 2024
2025: +5.7% +5.7% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Douglas County, Kansas and the United States
Period
County
Kansas
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+5.7%
+4.1%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+49%
+49%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+84%
+84%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Lawrence next to Douglas County, Kansas and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Lawrence$292,700
Douglas$309,400
Kansas$217,200
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Lawrence$1,091
Douglas$1,099
Kansas$1,060
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Lawrence$65,009
Douglas$69,746
Kansas$74,275
United States$80,734
See the full table
Lawrence next to Douglas County and Kansas
Measure
Lawrence
Douglas County
Kansas
U.S.
Typical home value
$292,700 ▼5% below the county
$309,400
$217,200
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,091
$1,099
$1,060
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$65,009 ▼7% below the county
$69,746
$74,275
$80,734
Households that own their home
44% ▼6 points below the county
50%
67%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$3,659 ▼3% below the county
$3,776
$2,798
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.25% ▲0.03 points above the county
1.22%
1.29%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
52% ▲1 points above the county
52%
43%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Douglas County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Lawrence
For a typical $292,700 home in Lawrence, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Lawrence's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$2,503a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$10,245
Cash to close
$19,026
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $129
Conventional, 5% down$2,450a month
Down payment
$14,635
Cash to close
$23,416
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $139
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$2,013a month
Down payment
$58,540
Cash to close
$67,321
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$2,284a month
Down payment
$43,905
Cash to close
$52,686
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Lawrence
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$2,503
$10,245
$287,398
7.18%
FHA MIP · $129
$19,026
580
Conventional, 5% down
$2,450
$14,635
$278,065
7.18%
PMI · $139
$23,416
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$2,013
$58,540
$234,160
7.18%
None
$67,321
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$2,284
$43,905
$248,795
8.18%
None
$52,686
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Lawrence is $1,091 a month: about the same as the county. In Lawrence, 52% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Douglas County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,272 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $24.46 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Douglas County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$961
$18.48
$38,440
1 bedroom
$1,103
$21.21
$44,120
2 bedrooms
$1,272
$24.46
$50,880
3 bedrooms
$1,761
$33.87
$70,440
4 bedrooms
$2,126
$40.88
$85,040
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Lawrence
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Lawrence has 5 ZIP codes with their own.
For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,180 in 66046 to $1,340 in 66047.
2 of the 5 are above the fair market rent for Douglas County ($1,272).
2-bedroom fair market rent in each of the 5 ZIP codes of Lawrence, beside the one for Douglas County. For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,180 in 66046 to $1,340 in 66047. 2 of the 5 are above the fair market rent for Douglas County ($1,272).
2-bedroom fair market rent in each ZIP code
Each line is one ZIP code: in color, those above the county's fair market rent; in gray, the rest.
County: $1,272
Lowest: $1,180 (66046)Highest: $1,340 (66047)
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Lawrence, fiscal year 2027.
66044
$920
$1,050
$1,210
$1,680
$2,020
66045
$960
$1,100
$1,270
$1,760
$2,110
66046
$890
$1,020
$1,180
$1,630
$1,970
66047
$1,010
$1,160
$1,340
$1,860
$2,240
66049
$1,010
$1,150
$1,330
$1,840
$2,220
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
66044 $1,210$1,680
66045 $1,270$1,760
66046 $1,180$1,630
66047 $1,340$1,860
66049 $1,330$1,840
4 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Lawrence when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
HUD lists 14 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Lawrence. These are the largest.
Edgewood Homes1600 Haskell Ave, Lawrence 66044224 homes, 220 low-income · Run by Lawrence/Douglas County Housing Authority · Average payment: $213 a month(785) 842-8110
Babcock Place1700 Massachusetts St, Lawrence 66044145 low-income homes · Run by Lawrence/Douglas County Housing Authority · Average payment: $289 a month(785) 842-8110
Prairie Ridge Place Apts2424 Melrose Ln, Lawrence 66047101 homes, 100 low-income · 1 bd: 95 · 2 bd: 5 · In service since 2003 · For older adults(785) 841-8660
Vermont Tower1101 Vermont St, Lawrence 6604460 low-income homes · 1 bd: 60 · In service since 2006 · For older adults(785) 841-6026
Clinton Parkway2125 Clinton Pkwy, Lawrence 6604758 low-income homes · For older adults(785) 841-1000
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Douglas County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Lawrence or Douglas County. The ones below are statewide in Kansas: they work in Lawrence the same as in the rest of the state.
Kansas state corporation 0% loan for 15% or 20% of the price for the down payment and closing costs, forgiven after 10 years in the home, for households with income up to 80% of the area median; not available in Johnson County or in Kansas City, Lawrence, Topeka and Wichita.Offered by Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC).
No legal help resource on our list is for Lawrence or Douglas County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Lawrence and all of Douglas County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Lawrence?
The typical home value in Lawrence is $292,700, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Douglas County it is $309,400.
How much does it cost to rent in Lawrence?
Typical rent in Lawrence is $1,091 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Douglas County is $1,272.
What is the FHA loan limit in Lawrence?
Lawrence uses the FHA limit for all of Douglas County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Lawrence?
The typical homeowner in Lawrence pays $3,659 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.25% of the home’s value; in Douglas County, the rate is 1.22%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Lawrence?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Douglas County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
