Travel Nurse Pay in Lawrence, Kansas: 2026 Cost of Living & GSA Rates

Economic analysis: GSA housing caps, average rent, and profitability verdict for travel nurses in Lawrence.

Last updated: February 21, 2026

Economics Verdict

Profitable: Lawrence Travel Nursing

GSA Housing Cap (Weekly)

$686/wk

≈ $2,970.38/mo

Avg Rent (1BR)

$1,000/mo

Margin

+$1,970.38/mo

Stipend covers rent

Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown

Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.

Excellent: Your housing stipend matches or exceeds the GSA maximum for Kansas ($686/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate29.7%
Federal: 24%
State: 5.7%

Same state assignment. You'll pay 5.7% state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$58.89

Based on 36 hours in KS.

Gross Weekly Pay

$2,120

Taxable Weekly Income

$720

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$214

True Net Weekly Pay

$1,906

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$24,780

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$49,560

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$99,120

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

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Take Home

$1,906

per week

Taxes

$214

per week

Total Gross: $2,120 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$1,000

$4,330/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Kansas

$850

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$3,480

Your stipend covers rent with $3,480 left over each month.

Find apartments under $850/month in Wichita:

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Cost of Living Analysis in Kansas

Monthly Net Income:$8,254
Average 1BR Rent:$850
True Discretionary Income:$7,404

After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses

Cost of Living Index:86.5

National average = 100. Kansas's cost of living is lower than the national average by 13.5 points.

💡 Lower cost of living area. Your pay may go further here than in expensive cities.

Housing Cost: Low

Utilities: Low

Rent data based on 2025 market averages. Actual rent may vary by neighborhood and housing type.

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Travel Nurse Pay in Lawrence

Average Hourly Rate

$41/hr

Average Weekly Pay

$1,640

GSA Lodging Rate

$98/night

GSA Meal Rate

$59/day

Cost of Living in Lawrence

Cost of Living Index

95 (Below National Average)

Studio

$800/mo

1 Bedroom

$1000/mo

2 Bedroom

$1300/mo

Top Hospitals in Lawrence

  • 🏥 Lawrence Regional Medical
  • 🏥 Lawrence General Hospital
  • 🏥 Community Health Lawrence

In-Demand Specialties

Med-Surg ER ICU

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do travel nurses make in Lawrence, Kansas?

Travel nurses in Lawrence typically earn between $36 and $51 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $41/hr. When including tax-free stipends, the blended hourly rate ranges from $45-60 per hour.

What are the GSA rates for Lawrence, Kansas?

The GSA per diem rates for Lawrence are: Lodging: $98/night, Meals: $59/day, and Incidentals: $5/day. These rates determine the maximum tax-free stipend amounts travel nurses can receive. For official rates, visit [GSA.gov](https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates).

What is the cost of living in Lawrence?

The cost of living index in Lawrence is 95, which is below the national average. Average rent ranges from $800 for a studio to $1300 for a two-bedroom apartment.

What hospitals hire travel nurses in Lawrence?

Top hospitals in Lawrence that frequently hire travel nurses include Lawrence Regional Medical, Lawrence General Hospital, Community Health Lawrence, and others. These facilities offer competitive pay rates and excellent working conditions for travel nurses.

What specialties are in demand in Lawrence?

The most in-demand specialties for travel nurses in Lawrence include Med-Surg, ER, ICU. These specialties typically offer higher pay rates and more contract opportunities.

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Resources for Lawrence