Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Lansing
112,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Lansing
33.5
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Lansing
10.1%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Lansing
5.3%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 112,546 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 33.5 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 10.1% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 56.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 7.4% | 23.4% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 5.3% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 12.9% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Lansing
$52,170
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Lansing
$29,894
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Lansing
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Berkeley +
Lansing
8.1%
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
Lansing
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Lansing
29.6%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $52,170 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $29,894 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 8.1% | Berkeley + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 19.9% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 29.6% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 53.9% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Lansing
471
Lansing +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 471 | Lansing + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1590 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Lansing
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Lansing
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Lansing
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Lansing
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Lansing
16.4%
Lansing +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Lansing
16.8%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 39.9% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.4% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 19.6% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 9.3% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.4% | Lansing + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 16.8% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Lansing
32.2 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 48.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 32.2 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Lansing
55.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Berkeley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 21.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while 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 503 in Berkeley. Berkeley has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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