Lansing MI vs Visalia CA — 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Visalia
135,983
Visalia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Visalia
17.1%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Visalia
4.4%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 135,983 | Visalia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 56.1% | 36.5% | Lansing + |
| Black | 23.4% | 17.1% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 4.4% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Lansing +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Lansing +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $26,955 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 11.6% | Lansing + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 20.0% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 12.4% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Visalia
$397,983
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $397,983 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Lansing +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Lansing + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Visalia
17.9%
Visalia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Lansing +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.9% | Visalia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 13.0% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.8% | Lansing + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 63.3°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Visalia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 41.6 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Lansing is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Visalia. Lansing has a lower unemployment rate at 8.1%, and Visalia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Visalia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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