Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Irving, TX
VS
Lansing, MI
🏆 Irving leads 14 of 23 categories
Irving
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$76,686 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
72 ✓ Safer
Population
254,962 ✓ Larger
Lansing
Michigan
9
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.
Irving, TX
Pros
80% less violent crime than Lansing
Households earn $25,939 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.2 pts lower (4.1%)
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 31°F
More college-educated — 40.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Smaller class sizes — 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,423/mo
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Lansing
Lansing, MI
Pros
Homes cost $147k less ($112,200 vs $259,500)
Rent averages $469/mo less ($954 vs $1,423)
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Irving
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 83°F vs 96°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Cons
Median income trails Irving by $25,939/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 4.1%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Irving
Median Income
$25,939
$76,686 vs $50,747/yr
Irving
Violent Crime
80% lower
275.4 vs 1345.1 per 100k
Irving
Unemployment
4.2 pp lower
4.1% vs 8.3% unemployment
Irving
Summer Heat
12.8°F warmer
July avg high 95.6°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
$147k less
$112,200 vs $259,500
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Irving, TX | Lansing, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $259,500 | $112,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,423⚠ High | $954 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $76,686 ✓ Higher | $50,747 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.8 min | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 14.0% ✓ Higher | 10.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 85 ✓ Safer | 260⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 ✓ Safer | 354⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 105⚠ High ✓ Safer | 119⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (109) ✓ Better | C+ (85) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.5% ✓ Higher | 29.3% |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% | 90.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | IRVING ISD | Lansing Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.5°F ✓ Warmer | 30.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.6°F ✓ Warmer | 82.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 37.0" | 33.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.6" ✓ Less | 50.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 254,962 ✓ Larger | 112,986 |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 32.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 53.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 26.4% ✓ More | 22.8% |
| Over 65 | 8.3% | 12.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Irving'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, Irving leads 14 of 23 categories. Irving wins 14 and Lansing wins 9. 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 Irving to Lansing or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($259,500 vs $112,200 median home), income ($76,686 vs $50,747), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Irving, TX and Lansing, MI are about 959 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.