Lansing MI vs Palmdale 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Lansing +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
Lansing
56.1%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Palmdale
4.5%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 44,998 | Lansing + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 57.8 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 56.1% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 23.4% | 5.4% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 4.5% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Lansing +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 8.2% | Lansing + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $503,393 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Lansing +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Palmdale, 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%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Palmdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.8% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.6% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 15.7% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 63.5°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Palmdale
24.1 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 24.1 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, 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 Palmdale. Lansing has a lower unemployment rate at 8.1%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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