Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Carrollton, TX
VS
Lansing, MI
🏆 Carrollton leads 16 of 23 categories
Carrollton
Texas
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$95,380 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
36 ✓ Safer
Population
132,284 ✓ Larger
Lansing
Michigan
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$50,747
Violent Crime Index
354⚠ High
Population
112,986
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Carrollton, TX
Pros
Households earn $44,633 more per year on average
90% less violent crime than Lansing
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.6 pts lower (3.7%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (137.1 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 31°F
More college-educated — 42.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $327,300
Higher rents — median is $1,555/mo
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Lansing
Lansing, MI
Pros
Homes cost $215k less ($112,200 vs $327,300)
Rent averages $601/mo less ($954 vs $1,555)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Carrollton
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Cooler summers — July highs near 83°F vs 94°F
Cons
Median income trails Carrollton by $44,633/yr
Violent crime (1345.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2499.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.3% vs 3.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Carrollton
Median Income
$44,633
$95,380 vs $50,747/yr
Carrollton
Violent Crime
90% lower
137.1 vs 1345.1 per 100k
Carrollton
Unemployment
4.6 pp lower
3.7% vs 8.3% unemployment
Carrollton
Summer Heat
11.5°F warmer
July avg high 94.3°F vs 82.8°F
Lansing
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Lansing
Median Home Value
$215k less
$112,200 vs $327,300
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Lansing, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $327,300⚠ High | $112,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,555⚠ High | $954 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $95,380 ✓ Higher | $50,747 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 8.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.4 min | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 17.8% ✓ Higher | 10.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 47 ✓ Safer | 260⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 36 ✓ Safer | 354⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 63 ✓ Safer | 119⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | C+ (85) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.1% ✓ Higher | 29.3% |
| High School or Higher | 89.4% | 90.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | CARROLLTON-FARMERS BRANCH ISD | Lansing Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.9°F ✓ Warmer | 30.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.3°F ✓ Warmer | 82.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.8" | 33.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 50.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 132,284 ✓ Larger | 112,986 |
| Median Age | 38.6 ✓ Older | 32.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% ✓ Higher | 53.3% |
| Under 18 | 19.9% | 22.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.9% ✓ More | 12.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Carrollton's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Lansing's 92.8 (US average = 100).
Lansing is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Carrollton leads 16 of 23 categories. Carrollton wins 16 and Lansing wins 7. 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 Carrollton to Lansing or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($327,300 vs $112,200 median home), income ($95,380 vs $50,747), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Carrollton, TX and Lansing, MI are about 949 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.