Ann Arbor MI vs Lansing MI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$531,674
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lansing
112,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lansing
33.5
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lansing
10.1%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lansing
56.1%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lansing
23.4%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lansing
5.3%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lansing
12.9%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 112,546 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 33.5 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 10.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 56.1% | - |
| Black | N/A | 23.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 5.3% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lansing
$52,170
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lansing
$29,894
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Lansing
$58,052
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lansing
8.1%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lansing
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lansing
29.6%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $52,170 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $29,894 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,052 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 8.1% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 19.9% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 29.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lansing
53.9%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,674 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 53.9% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Lansing
471
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Lansing
1590
Tie
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 471 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1590 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
25.8%
Ann Arbor +
Lansing
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Ann Arbor +
Lansing
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Ann Arbor +
Lansing
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
Lansing
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Lansing
16.4%
Lansing +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Ann Arbor +
Lansing
16.8%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.8% | 39.9% | Ann Arbor + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 12.4% | Ann Arbor + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.6% | Ann Arbor + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.0% | 9.3% | Ann Arbor + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 16.4% | Lansing + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 16.8% | Ann Arbor + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Ann Arbor +
Lansing
48.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lansing
32.2 in
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.4°F | 48.8°F | Ann Arbor + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 32.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Lansing
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Lansing
21.2 min
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 21.2 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Lansing is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Ann Arbor. Lansing has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ann Arbor scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.8%.
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