Atlanta GA 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Lansing
112,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Lansing
23.4%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 112,546 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 33.5 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 10.1% | Lansing + |
| White | 39.9% | 56.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 46.9% | 23.4% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 12.9% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Lansing
$52,170
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Lansing
$29,894
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Lansing
$58,052
Lansing +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Lansing
8.1%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
Lansing
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Lansing
29.6%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $52,170 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $29,894 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,052 | Lansing + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 8.1% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 19.9% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 29.6% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 53.9% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Lansing
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 471 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1590 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Lansing
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Lansing
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Lansing
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Lansing
16.4%
Lansing +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Lansing
16.8%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 39.9% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.4% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.6% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 9.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.4% | Lansing + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.8% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Lansing
48.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 32.2 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Atlanta +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Lansing
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Atlanta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 21.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Atlanta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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