Lansing MI vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Lansing
56.1%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 41.6 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 6.8% | Lansing + |
| White | 56.1% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 23.4% | 4.8% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 2.6% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 31.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $422,520 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 450 | Surprise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2150 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.5% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 32.8 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Surprise is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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