City Comparison
Southfield vs Lansing
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Southfield scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Southfield
Lansing
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lansing is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Southfield.
Housing costs are a major driver: Southfield's average rent is
26% higher than Lansing's.
| Metric | Southfield | Lansing | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,150 | +26% |
| Groceries | $410 | $400 | +3% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $130 | $110 | +18% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $220 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,405 | $2,060 | +17% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Southfield offers 10% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Southfield delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Southfield is estimated at
$52,000 vs $48,000 in Lansing.
| Metric | Southfield | Lansing |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,833 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $74,000 | $54,382 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.4°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Southfield sees 2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Southfield | Lansing |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.80°F | 49.40°F |
| Summer High | 82.00°F | 81.60°F |
| Winter Low | 17.40°F | 17.00°F |
| Rainfall | 32.40 in | 28.20 in |
| Snowfall | 36.80 in | 34.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 246 | 250 |
| Humidity | 66.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Lansing has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Southfield.
Lansing scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lansing leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Southfield | Lansing |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 46.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lansing is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Southfield.
From a growth perspective, Southfield is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Southfield has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Southfield | Lansing |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,500 | 113,884 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.30% |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Southfield
Advantages
Strategic location in Oakland County with direct access to major freeways like I-696 and US-10
Robust commercial hub hosting numerous corporate headquarters and professional service firms
Diverse and welcoming community with strong cultural representation and active local engagement
Excellent healthcare infrastructure anchored by Ascension Providence Hospital
More affordable housing options compared to neighboring affluent Oakland County communities
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited walkability and transit scores outside central corridors
Property tax rates can be relatively high compared to some surrounding townships
Traffic congestion along major commuter arteries during peak rush hours
Varying crime rates and safety profiles depending on the specific neighborhood
Older housing stock in some areas may require significant maintenance or updates
Lansing
Advantages
Median home purchase prices and overall housing costs remain significantly lower than the national average per U.S. Census Bureau data.
The local economy benefits from strong public-sector stability anchored by the Michigan state government and regional healthcare networks.
Lansing offers an extensive outdoor recreation network, highlighted by the scenic multi-use Lansing River Trail.
Cultural districts like Old Town and REO Town provide vibrant arts scenes, local dining, and community festivals.
Commute times are notably shorter and traffic congestion is milder than in major U.S. metropolitan hubs.
Drawbacks
Poverty rates in specific urban core neighborhoods trend higher than the national average per American Community Survey data.
Public transit is less comprehensive outside of core urban and campus corridors, resulting in high car dependency.
Winter weather brings sustained cold temperatures and consistent seasonal snowfall requiring winterized infrastructure.
Certain city zones experience higher property crime rates that require careful neighborhood selection.
Per capita personal income tracks below the national average relative to coastal economic centers.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Southfield
#282Michigan, USA
61.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
246/yr
Avg Temp
49.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
73
Business
70
Lansing
#411Michigan, USA
57.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
46.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
49.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.30%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
73
Business
68
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