Lansing MI vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Lansing +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Renton
35.0
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 75,721 | Lansing + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.0 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 56.1% | 48.7% | Lansing + |
| Black | 23.4% | 2.2% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 6.8% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $765,686 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 45.2% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3409 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 53.2°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 40.1 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Renton
75.0%
Renton +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Renton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 25.4 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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