Boston MA 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)
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
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
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Lansing
112,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Lansing
33.5
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
Lansing
10.1%
White
Boston
47.8%
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Black
Boston
21.5%
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Lansing
5.3%
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
Lansing
12.9%
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 112,546 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 33.5 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 10.1% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 56.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 21.5% | 23.4% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 5.3% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 12.9% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Lansing
$52,170
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Lansing
$29,894
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Lansing
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Boston +
Lansing
8.1%
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Boston +
Lansing
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
Lansing
29.6%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $52,170 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $29,894 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $58,052 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 8.1% | Boston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 19.9% | Boston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 29.6% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 53.9% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Boston +
Lansing
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
Lansing
1590
| Metric | Boston, MA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 471 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1590 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Lansing
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
Lansing
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Boston +
Lansing
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Lansing
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Lansing
16.4%
Lansing +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
Lansing
16.8%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 39.9% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 12.4% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 19.6% | Boston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 9.3% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 16.4% | Lansing + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 16.8% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | 48.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | 32.2 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Boston +
Lansing
55.0%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 21.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Boston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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