Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Lansing
112,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Lansing
23.4%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 112,546 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 33.5 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 10.1% | Lansing + |
| White | 27.4% | 56.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 60.0% | 23.4% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 12.9% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Baltimore +
Lansing
$52,170
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Lansing
$29,894
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Lansing
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Baltimore +
Lansing
8.1%
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Lansing
29.6%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $52,170 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $29,894 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $58,052 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 8.1% | Baltimore + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 19.9% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 29.6% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 53.9% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Lansing
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 471 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1590 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Baltimore +
Lansing
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
Lansing
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Lansing
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Baltimore +
Lansing
16.8%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 39.9% | Baltimore + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.4% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 19.6% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.4% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.8% | Baltimore + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 48.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 32.2 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
Lansing
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 21.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baltimore leads in median household income at $59,623, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Baltimore has a lower unemployment rate at 6.6%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baltimore scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.1%.
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