Lansing MI vs Roanoke 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Lansing +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Lansing
56.1%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 98,677 | Lansing + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 38.0 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 7.5% | Lansing + |
| White | 56.1% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 23.4% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 3.1% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 8.6% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Roanoke
$52,671
Roanoke +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $52,671 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 19.7% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 28.9% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $279,668 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 51.7% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Roanoke
1726
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1726 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Lansing +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Roanoke
16.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 41.9% | Lansing + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.9% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.0% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.7% | Roanoke + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 56.0°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 44.5 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Roanoke
21.6 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 21.6 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roanoke leads in median household income at $52,671, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lansing scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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