Lansing MI vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
Waco
9.8%
White
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 9.8% | Lansing + |
| White | 56.1% | 54.0% | Lansing + |
| Black | 23.4% | 20.4% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 2.0% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Lansing +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Lansing +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $51,468 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $28,819 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 24.0% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 28.6% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Waco
$196,465
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $196,465 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 48.9% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2339 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Lansing +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.0% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 20.4% | Lansing + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 20.4% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 66.6°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 36.4 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lansing leads in median household income at $52,170, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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