Lansing MI vs Seattle 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Lansing
56.1%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.5 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 56.1% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 23.4% | 6.6% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 8.2% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $871,599 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 44.3% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3409 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Lansing +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 19.0% | Lansing + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 52.6°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 37.5 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 28.8 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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