Living in Lawrence, MA
Lawrence is the 402nd-largest city in the US, home to about 89,000 people in 2025. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run above the national average (108.3 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 89,320+0.2% since 2020
- Median home value
- $415,2006.9 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,662/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $60,433median, per year
- Price level
- 108.3US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 35° / 83°lows 19° / 63°
- Average commute
- 23 min7% work from home
- State income tax
- 9%top rate, graduated
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County: Essex County
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Elevation: about 46 ft
Metro area: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Cost of living in Lawrence
The median home in Lawrence is worth $415,200 and the median household earns $60,433 a year, so a typical home costs about 6.9 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,662 a month, about 33% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area at 108.3, with housing at 148.4 and goods at 99.7 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $81,200 here. Massachusetts taxes wages at a top rate of 9%. The average combined state and local sales tax in Massachusetts is 6.25%.
What would my salary be worth in Lawrence?
Lawrence weather
Average highs run from 35°F in January to 83°F in July, and January nights average 19°F. It gets 41 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 58 inches of snow. Nights drop below freezing about 123 times a year. The most comfortable months are May to September.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Lawrence
People and work
The median resident is 32.6 years old, and 17% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 28% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 23 minutes; 7% of workers work from home and 4% take public transit.
- Median age
- 32.675th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 17%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 28%of households
- People per sq mile
- 12,8896.9 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 4%3% walk, 0.3% bike
- Unemployment
- 8.5%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 17.6%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1950median year
Who moves to Lawrence, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Bronx County, NY, New York County, NY and Los Angeles (Los Angeles County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to West Palm Beach (Palm Beach County), New York County, NY and Los Angeles (Los Angeles County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for Essex County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: coastal flooding, ice storm, hurricane, tornado.
Home prices
+2.8% in a year
Up 40% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Cambridge-Newton-Framingham, MA (MSAD) area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
71% good days
5 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Lawrence
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Fenway Park 25 miles
- Southern New Hampshire University 27 miles
- Boston University 25 miles
- Northeastern University 26 miles
- Boston College 26 miles
- Tufts University 21 miles
- Harvard University 23 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Lawrence
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester-Boston Regional Airport MHT | 21 mi | 633,257 |
| Logan International Airport BOS | 25 mi | 21,090,721 |
| Portsmouth International Airport at Pease PSM | 31 mi | 100,298 |
| Worcester Regional Airport ORH | 47 mi | 112,872 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Lawrence
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston University | 25 mi | 18,248 | $36,503 | 90% |
| University of Massachusetts-Lowell | 9 mi | 11,434 | $17,362 | 69% |
| Bunker Hill Community College | 24 mi | 8,612 | $5,976 | 21% |
| Harvard University | 23 mi | 7,601 | $19,148 | 97% |
| Tufts University | 21 mi | 7,061 | $38,797 | 94% |
| Middlesex Community College | 14 mi | 5,412 | $3,970 | 26% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Lawrence
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before April 21, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around October 9 and the first frost comes around October 21.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Lawrence Municipal Airport, MA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Lawrence.
Wildfire smoke in Lawrence
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Lawrence on about 100 days a year, including about 23 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Lawrence
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 31,142 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Lawrence
Downtown Lawrence is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence School District | Pre-K to 12 | 13,313 | 26 | 11.5 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Lowell School District (14,457 students), Haverhill School District (7,940 students), Methuen School District (6,464 students), Andover School District (5,414 students), Chelmsford School District (5,068 students), Billerica School District (4,972 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Lawrence's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Lawrence's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Arlington Heights, IL77% matchCompare
- Evanston, IL74% matchCompare
- Rochester Hills, MI73% matchCompare
- Troy, MI73% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Ski resorts near Lawrence
- Ski Bradford 6 miles
- Nashoba Valley Ski Area 18 miles
- McIntyre Ski Area 25 miles
- Blue Hills Ski Area 34 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Lawrence
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Nothing stands out in the data. Locals, what do you love about Lawrence?
Cons
- Data Homes are expensive for local pay: the median home costs 6.9 years of median household income.
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 8% above the US average, mostly because of housing.
- Data Massachusetts's top income tax rate is 9%, among the highest in the country.
- Data Winters are snowy: about 58 inches a year.
Lawrence report card from locals
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Lawrence through locals' eyes
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Cities near Lawrence
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lowell, MA | 9 mi | 119,971 | $429,200 | 108.3 | Compare |
| Nashua, NH | 16 mi | 92,435 | $403,900 | 105.7 | Compare |
| Lynn, MA | 20 mi | 104,236 | $510,100 | 108.3 | Compare |
| Somerville, MA | 22 mi | 84,211 | $911,300 | 108.3 | Compare |
| Cambridge, MA | 23 mi | 122,588 | $1,092,100 | 108.3 | Compare |
| Newton, MA | 25 mi | 90,741 | $1,264,900 | 108.3 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Lawrence ranks 57th of 63 in our best suburbs of Boston ranking.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Lawrence with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Lawrence a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show no standout advantages on cost or climate; the trade-offs are high prices, expensive homes relative to local incomes, heavy snow. Compare Lawrence side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Lawrence?
The Census Bureau estimates Lawrence had 89,320 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 89,173 in April 2020 (+0.2%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Lawrence?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $81,200 in the Lawrence area. The median household here earns $60,433.
When is the best time to visit Lawrence?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, May to September are the most comfortable months. July averages 83°F and January 35°F for daytime highs.
What county is Lawrence in?
Lawrence is in Essex County, Massachusetts. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Lawrence in?
Lawrence is on Eastern Time (UTC-5, or UTC-4 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Lawrence?
About 46 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Massachusetts have a state income tax?
Yes. Massachusetts has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 9% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Lawrence. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Lawrence Municipal Airport, MA station; snowfall from Haverhill, MA. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.