Lansing MI vs Mobile AL — 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%
Mobile, AL
Alabama · Population: 185,097
- Median HH Income$51,090
- Median Home Price$197,044
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Mobile
39.9%
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Mobile
2.1%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 185,097 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.7 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 3.8% | Lansing + |
| White | 56.1% | 39.9% | Lansing + |
| Black | 23.4% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 2.1% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 3.1% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Lansing +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Mobile
$32,893
Mobile +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Lansing +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $51,090 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $32,893 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $51,690 | Lansing + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 5.9% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 18.9% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 31.5% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Mobile
$197,044
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
Mobile
51.4%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $197,044 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 51.4% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Mobile
1734
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 400 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1734 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Lansing +
Mobile
40.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Mobile
10.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 40.0% | Lansing + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 17.0% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.2% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.9% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 67.4°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 65.3 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Mobile +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mobile + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 24.5 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lansing leads in median household income at $52,170, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Mobile is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Mobile has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lansing scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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