Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Lansing
112,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Lansing
10.1%
White
Houston
35.5%
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Lansing
5.3%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Lansing
12.9%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 112,546 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.5 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 10.1% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 56.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 22.9% | 23.4% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 5.3% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 12.9% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Lansing
$52,170
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Lansing
$29,894
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Lansing
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Lansing
8.1%
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Lansing
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Lansing
29.6%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $52,170 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $29,894 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,052 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 8.1% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 19.9% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 29.6% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 53.9% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Lansing
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 471 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1590 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Lansing
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Lansing
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Lansing
16.4%
Lansing +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Lansing
16.8%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 39.9% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.4% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 19.6% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 9.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.4% | Lansing + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.8% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Lansing
48.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 32.2 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Lansing
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 21.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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