Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lansing, MI
VS
Orlando, FL
🏆 Orlando leads 13 of 23 categories
Lansing
Michigan
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$50,747
Violent Crime Index
354⚠ High
Population
112,986
Orlando
Florida
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.1⚠ High
Median Household Income
$66,292 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
220⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
307,738 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lansing, MI
Pros
Homes cost $221k less ($112,200 vs $332,700)
Rent averages $555/mo less ($954 vs $1,509)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Orlando
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Cooler summers — July highs near 83°F vs 92°F
Cons
Violent crime (1345.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Orlando by $15,545/yr
Property crime (2499.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.3% vs 5.2%)
Orlando, FL
Pros
38% less violent crime than Lansing
Households earn $15,545 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.1 pts lower (5.2%)
Milder winters — January highs near 72°F vs 31°F
More college-educated — 41.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $332,700
Higher rents — median is $1,509/mo
Violent crime (835.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4028.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Lansing
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 101.1 (100 = US avg)
Lansing
Median Home Value
$221k less
$112,200 vs $332,700
Orlando
Median Income
$15,545
$66,292 vs $50,747/yr
Orlando
Violent Crime
38% lower
835.8 vs 1345.1 per 100k
Orlando
Unemployment
3.1 pp lower
5.2% vs 8.3% unemployment
Orlando
Summer Heat
9.2°F warmer
July avg high 92.0°F vs 82.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Orlando, FL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 101.1⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $112,200 ✓ Lower | $332,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $954 ✓ Lower | $1,509⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $50,747 | $66,292 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3%⚠ High | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter | 26.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.7% | 12.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 260⚠ High | 209⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 354⚠ High | 220⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 119⚠ High ✓ Safer | 192⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (85) | B+ (104) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 29.3% | 41.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 90.4% | 91.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lansing Public School District | ORANGE |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.6°F | 71.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 82.8°F | 92.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 33.3" ✓ Drier | 51.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 50.2" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 112,986 | 307,738 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 34.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.3% ✓ Higher | 39.2% |
| Under 18 | 22.8% ✓ More | 20.8% |
| Over 65 | 12.6% ✓ More | 10.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lansing's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Orlando's 101.1 (US average = 100).
Lansing is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Orlando leads 13 of 23 categories. Lansing wins 10 and Orlando wins 13. 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 Lansing to Orlando or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($112,200 vs $332,700 median home), income ($50,747 vs $66,292), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lansing, MI and Orlando, FL are about 1,006 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.