Lansing MI vs Riverside 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 56.1% | 39.2% | Lansing + |
| Black | 23.4% | 6.0% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Riverside
$33,716
Riverside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $33,716 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 25.7% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $648,603 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 56.3% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Lansing +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Riverside, 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%
Riverside
36.7%
Riverside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Riverside
18.5%
Riverside +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 36.7% | Riverside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.5% | Riverside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 13.6% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 66.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Riverside +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Riverside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 34.1 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, 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 Riverside. Riverside has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Riverside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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