Lansing MI vs Lynchburg VA — 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%
Lynchburg, VA
Virginia · Population: 79,255
- Median HH Income$59,808
- Median Home Price$264,994
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+38.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Lansing +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Lansing
56.1%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Lynchburg
2.2%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 79,255 | Lansing + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 4.6% | Lansing + |
| White | 56.1% | 62.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 23.4% | 27.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 2.2% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 5.0% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Lynchburg
$59,808
Lynchburg +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Lynchburg
$30,004
Lynchburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $59,808 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $30,004 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $69,581 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 17.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 38.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Lynchburg
$264,994
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
Lynchburg
49.1%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $264,994 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 49.1% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Lynchburg
1726
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 240 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1726 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Lynchburg
19.4%
Lynchburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 37.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.4% | Lynchburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 12.9% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
Lynchburg
41.5 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 54.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 41.5 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lynchburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynchburg leads in median household income at $59,808, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lynchburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lynchburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
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