El Paso TX vs Lansing MI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Lansing
112,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Lansing
10.1%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Lansing
12.9%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 112,546 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 33.5 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 10.1% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 56.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 3.6% | 23.4% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 12.9% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
El Paso +
Lansing
$52,170
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Lansing
$29,894
Lansing +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Lansing
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
El Paso +
Lansing
8.1%
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
Lansing
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $52,170 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $29,894 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,052 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 8.1% | El Paso + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 19.9% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 29.6% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Lansing
53.9%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 53.9% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Lansing
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 471 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1590 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Lansing
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Lansing
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Lansing
16.4%
Lansing +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Lansing
16.8%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 39.9% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.4% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.6% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 9.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.4% | Lansing + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.8% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Lansing
32.2 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 48.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 32.2 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
El Paso +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Lansing
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | El Paso + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 21.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
El Paso leads in median household income at $58,734, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, El Paso is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. El Paso has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and El Paso has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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