Lansing MI vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 34.8 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 56.1% | 53.7% | Lansing + |
| Black | 23.4% | 7.8% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 3.9% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $411,323 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 450 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2150 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 17.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 72.1°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 27.7 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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