Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Erie, PA
VS
Lansing, MI
🏆 Erie leads 13 of 23 categories
Erie
Pennsylvania
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.5 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$43,135
Violent Crime Index
99 ✓ Safer
Population
94,826
Lansing
Michigan
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8
Median Household Income
$50,747 ✓ Higher
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.
Erie, PA
Pros
72% less violent crime than Lansing
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (6.8%)
Rent averages $145/mo less ($809 vs $954)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.5)
Smaller class sizes — 12.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Lansing by $7,612/yr
Snowy winters — about 104" of snow per year
Lansing, MI
Pros
Households earn $7,612 more per year on average
More college-educated — 29.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Cons
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 6.8%)
Snowy winters — about 50" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Erie
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 91.5 vs 92.8 (100 = US avg)
Erie
Violent Crime
72% lower
375.6 vs 1345.1 per 100k
Erie
Median Home Value
$11k less
$101,500 vs $112,200
Erie
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
6.8% vs 8.3% unemployment
Lansing
Median Income
$7,612
$50,747 vs $43,135/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Erie, PA | Lansing, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.5 ✓ Cheaper | 92.8 |
| Median Home Value | $101,500 ✓ Lower | $112,200 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $809 ✓ Lower | $954 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $43,135 | $50,747 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.2 min ✓ Shorter | 19.3 min |
| Work From Home % | 5.8% | 10.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 96 ✓ Safer | 260⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 99 ✓ 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- (90) ✓ Better | C+ (85) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.4% | 29.3% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.6% | 90.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Erie City SD | Lansing Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 35.2°F ✓ Warmer | 30.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 81.1°F | 82.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 43.0" | 33.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 104.3" | 50.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 94,826 | 112,986 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.0 ✓ Older | 32.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.6% | 53.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.4% | 22.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 12.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Erie's cost of living index is 91.5 vs Lansing's 92.8 (US average = 100).
Erie is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Erie leads 13 of 23 categories. Erie wins 13 and Lansing wins 10. 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 Erie to Lansing or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($101,500 vs $112,200 median home), income ($43,135 vs $50,747), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Erie, PA and Lansing, MI are about 233 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.