Lansing MI vs San Francisco 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%
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
San Francisco
15.9%
San Francisco +
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 39.7 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 56.1% | 40.5% | Lansing + |
| Black | 23.4% | 5.1% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 15.9% | San Francisco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
San Francisco
5.6%
San Francisco +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 5.6% | San Francisco + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $1,369,171 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 38.5% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Lansing +
San Francisco
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
San Francisco
2388
| Metric | Lansing, MI | San Francisco, 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%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Lansing +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.7% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 19.6% | Lansing + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
San Francisco
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 55.3°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 20.7 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Francisco + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 33.9 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, 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 San Francisco. San Francisco has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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