Lansing MI vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Richmond
34.5
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 34.5 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 8.6% | Lansing + |
| White | 56.1% | 43.2% | Lansing + |
| Black | 23.4% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 2.1% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 10.3% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $62,671 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 6.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $374,265 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 43.5% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Richmond
1726
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1726 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Richmond
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 36.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.7% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.2% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 58.9°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 43.6 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Richmond
23.6 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 23.6 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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