Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arden-Arcade, CA
VS
Lansing, MI
🏆 Arden-Arcade leads 14 of 22 categories
Arden-Arcade
California
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$64,479 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
136⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
96,076
Lansing
Michigan
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$50,747
Violent Crime Index
354⚠ High
Population
112,986 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Arden-Arcade, CA
Pros
61% less violent crime than Lansing
Households earn $13,732 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 31°F
More college-educated — 36.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $466,300
Higher rents — median is $1,385/mo
Violent crime (518.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 16% higher than Lansing
Lansing, MI
Pros
Homes cost $354k less ($112,200 vs $466,300)
Rent averages $431/mo less ($954 vs $1,385)
16% cheaper overall cost of living than Arden-Arcade
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Cooler summers — July highs near 83°F vs 94°F
Cons
Violent crime (1345.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Arden-Arcade by $13,732/yr
Property crime (2499.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 50" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Arden-Arcade
Median Income
$13,732
$64,479 vs $50,747/yr
Arden-Arcade
Violent Crime
61% lower
518.1 vs 1345.1 per 100k
Arden-Arcade
Summer Heat
11.6°F warmer
July avg high 94.4°F vs 82.8°F
Lansing
Cost of Living
16% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 108.9 (100 = US avg)
Lansing
Median Home Value
$354k less
$112,200 vs $466,300
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arden-Arcade, CA | Lansing, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 108.9⚠ High | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $466,300⚠ High | $112,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,385⚠ High | $954 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,479 ✓ Higher | $50,747 |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.4 min | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.9% ✓ Higher | 10.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 119⚠ High ✓ Safer | 260⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 136⚠ High ✓ Safer | 354⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 ✓ Safer | 119⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) ✓ Better | C+ (85) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 22.6:1 | 17.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 36.3% ✓ Higher | 29.3% |
| High School or Higher | 88.9% | 90.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | San Juan Unified | Lansing Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.5°F ✓ Warmer | 30.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.4°F ✓ Warmer | 82.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 21.5" ✓ Drier | 33.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 50.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 96,076 | 112,986 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.0 ✓ Older | 32.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.9% | 53.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.8% | 22.8% |
| Over 65 | 16.6% ✓ More | 12.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arden-Arcade's cost of living index is 108.9 vs Lansing's 92.8 (US average = 100).
Lansing is 16% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Arden-Arcade leads 14 of 22 categories. Arden-Arcade wins 14 and Lansing wins 8. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Arden-Arcade to Lansing or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($466,300 vs $112,200 median home), income ($64,479 vs $50,747), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arden-Arcade, CA and Lansing, MI are about 1,935 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.