Lansing MI vs Little Rock AR — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Little Rock
3.0%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 36.4 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 7.9% | Lansing + |
| White | 56.1% | 46.4% | Lansing + |
| Black | 23.4% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 3.0% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 10.4% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Lansing +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $60,583 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $53,714 | Lansing + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 16.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Little Rock
$216,863
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $216,863 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 54.2% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Lansing +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 660 | Lansing + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2507 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Lansing +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Little Rock
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 40.5% | Lansing + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.1% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.4% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 13.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 62.7°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 50.0 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Little Rock +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Little Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Little Rock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Lansing is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Little Rock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lansing scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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