Lansing MI vs Modesto CA — 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Modesto
35.4
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Modesto
50.8%
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 218,614 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.4 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 56.1% | 50.8% | Lansing + |
| Black | 23.4% | 4.7% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Modesto
7.3%
Modesto +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $34,656 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 7.3% | Modesto + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 20.3% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $447,353 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Lansing +
Modesto
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Modesto
2388
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Lansing + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Modesto
19.0%
Modesto +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Modesto
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Lansing +
Modesto
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 36.2% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.1% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.0% | Modesto + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 13.0% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.5% | Lansing + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 13.7% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 63.7°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Modesto + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 30.5 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, 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 503 in Modesto. Modesto has a lower unemployment rate at 7.3%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Modesto scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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