Lansing MI vs Vancouver 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Lansing
56.1%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Vancouver
17.2%
Vancouver +
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.5 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 56.1% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 23.4% | 3.1% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 17.2% | Vancouver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 31.5% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $510,577 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 49.9% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3409 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Vancouver
36.2%
Vancouver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Vancouver
19.1%
Vancouver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Vancouver
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Vancouver
16.3%
Vancouver +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 36.2% | Vancouver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.1% | Vancouver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.4% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.3% | Vancouver + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Vancouver
52.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 52.1°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 41.6 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Vancouver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 25.1 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vancouver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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