Living in Lawrence, MA offers a unique blend of historical significance, cultural diversity, and urban convenience. Located just 30 miles north of Boston, Lawrence is known for its rich industrial history, beautiful historic buildings, and strong sense of community. The city’s location along the Merrimack River has played a key role in its development, making it a hub of economic activity in the region.
Lawrence’s dining scene is diverse, reflecting its multicultural population, with a range of options from traditional American fare to Latin American cuisine. The city’s downtown area is undergoing revitalization, featuring new shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions that highlight its vibrant community. The annual Lawrence Feast of the Three Saints is a local favorite, celebrating the city’s Italian-American heritage with food, music, and family-friendly activities.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Lawrence provides plenty of opportunities for recreation. The city’s parks, including the popular Lawrence Heritage State Park, offer scenic spots for picnicking, walking, and enjoying the views of the Merrimack River. The nearby Merrimack Valley provides additional opportunities for hiking, fishing, and exploring the natural beauty of Massachusetts.
Lawrence is also known for its strong sense of community and commitment to cultural diversity. The city hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the annual Hispanic Week celebration and the Bread & Roses Heritage Festival, which bring residents together to celebrate the city’s rich cultural heritage. The city’s proximity to Boston means that residents can easily access the amenities of a major city, including theaters, museums, and professional sports venues.
For those considering a move to Massachusetts, Lawrence offers a perfect blend of historical charm, cultural richness, and urban convenience. Whether you're drawn by its cultural events, scenic parks, or proximity to Boston, living in Lawrence, MA provides a fulfilling and dynamic lifestyle.
Commute
High scores in the commute category could indicate that this area offers short commute times to work and readily available public transportation options.
Health & Safety
Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.
Cost Of Living
Residents of this area contend with a high cost of living, resulting in increased expenditures for everyday goods and services, housing, utilities and health care.
Ratings
Polls and surveys done by AreaVibes among area residents did not yield positive feedback when it came to the walkability of amenities, safety, nearby parks and the overall sense of community.
Located in the state of Massachusetts, Lawrence is a medium-sized city with a population of 80,022 inhabitants. In Lawrence, there are 11,548 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. More than a quarter of the residents of Lawrence identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 76% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. With an average age of 32 years old, Lawrence could be a great place to live for young adults as this age is well below the national average. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in Lawrence, only 39% of the population is married. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Lawrence your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 23 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.
Living in Lawrence can be a positive experience for anyone moving to the town. Having said that, in the state of Massachusetts, there are many incredible places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. The best areas in Lawrence and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, crime, cost of living, health & safety, education, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Massachusetts and national averages.
Using data and statistics Lawrence has received a livability score of 70 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 77th percentile when compared to all other cities. There are some categories that Lawrence ranks poorly for, including: amenities (D), cost of living (F), education (D) and employment (D). It might be worth taking a closer look to find out why.
Lawrence real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Lawrence. Median real estate prices in Lawrence come in at $280,800, which is 17.7% lower than the Massachusetts average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Lawrence, the home price to income ratio is 6.2, which is 29.2% higher than the Massachusetts average.
| Statistic | Lawrence | Massachusetts | National |
| Average one way commute | 23min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 70.3% | 71.1% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 15.6% | 7.5% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 3.7% | 9.9% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.2% | 0.8% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 3.6% | 4.9% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 2.4% | 4.7% | 4.6% |
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