Lansing MI vs Spokane Valley 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Lansing +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Lansing
56.1%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 105,460 | Lansing + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.6 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 5.1% | Lansing + |
| White | 56.1% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 23.4% | 1.4% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 1.7% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 7.5% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Spokane Valley +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $70,722 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $35,235 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $76,120 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 5.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 12.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 24.8% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $414,734 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 383 | Spokane Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3409 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Spokane Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Spokane Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Lansing +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 35.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.2% | Lansing + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 12.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 22.4 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane Valley leads in median household income at $70,722, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Spokane Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Spokane Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
Compare More Cities
Lansing, MI vs New York, NYLansing, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lansing, MIHouston, TX vs Lansing, MILansing, MI vs Phoenix, AZLansing, MI vs Philadelphia, PA