Lansing MI vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Tallahassee
4.0%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 8.0% | Lansing + |
| White | 56.1% | 50.7% | Lansing + |
| Black | 23.4% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 4.0% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 8.6% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Tallahassee
$55,931
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Tallahassee
6.5%
Tallahassee +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $55,931 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $35,704 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 6.5% | Tallahassee + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 23.2% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Tallahassee
$293,664
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $293,664 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 39.5% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Lansing +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Lansing +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 20.3% | Lansing + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 13.2% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.7% | Lansing + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 67.6°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 58.1 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tallahassee + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tallahassee leads in median household income at $55,931, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Tallahassee has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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