Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lansing, MI
VS
Warren, MI
🏆 Warren leads 15 of 23 categories
Lansing
Michigan
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$50,747
Violent Crime Index
354⚠ High
Population
112,986
Warren
Michigan
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$61,633 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
143⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
138,588 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lansing, MI
Pros
Homes cost $57k less ($112,200 vs $169,300)
Rent averages $185/mo less ($954 vs $1,139)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 29.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Warren
Cons
Violent crime (1345.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Warren by $10,886/yr
Property crime (2499.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.3% vs 7.4%)
Warren, MI
Pros
60% less violent crime than Lansing
Households earn $10,886 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (7.4%)
Cons
Violent crime (541.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 5% higher than Lansing
Key Differences at a Glance
Lansing
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Lansing
Median Home Value
$57k less
$112,200 vs $169,300
Warren
Median Income
$10,886
$61,633 vs $50,747/yr
Warren
Violent Crime
60% lower
541.8 vs 1345.1 per 100k
Warren
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
7.4% vs 8.3% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Warren, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 98.0 |
| Median Home Value | $112,200 ✓ Lower | $169,300 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $954 ✓ Lower | $1,139 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $50,747 | $61,633 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3%⚠ High | 7.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter | 25.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.7% ✓ Higher | 8.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 260⚠ High | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 354⚠ High | 143⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 119⚠ High | 74 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (85) | C+ (89) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.0:1 | 16.7:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 29.3% ✓ Higher | 19.9% |
| High School or Higher | 90.4% ✓ Higher | 86.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lansing Public School District | Warren Consolidated Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.6°F | 32.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 82.8°F | 83.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 33.3" | 29.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 50.2" | 27.9" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 112,986 | 138,588 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 38.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.3% | 71.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.8% ✓ More | 21.1% |
| Over 65 | 12.6% | 16.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lansing's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Warren's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Lansing is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Warren leads 15 of 23 categories. Lansing wins 8 and Warren wins 15. 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 Warren or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($112,200 vs $169,300 median home), income ($50,747 vs $61,633), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lansing, MI and Warren, MI are about 80 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.