Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Lansing
112,546
Lansing +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Lansing
33.5
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Boulder +
Lansing
10.1%
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Lansing
56.1%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Lansing
5.3%
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 112,546 | Lansing + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 33.5 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 10.1% | Boulder + |
| White | 81.8% | 56.1% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 23.4% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 5.3% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 12.9% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Lansing
$52,170
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Lansing
$29,894
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Lansing
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Boulder +
Lansing
8.1%
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Lansing
29.6%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $52,170 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $29,894 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $58,052 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 8.1% | Boulder + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 19.9% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 29.6% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 53.9% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Lansing
471
Lansing +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 471 | Lansing + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1590 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Lansing
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Lansing
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Boulder +
Lansing
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Lansing
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Lansing
16.4%
Lansing +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Lansing
16.8%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 39.9% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 12.4% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 19.6% | Boulder + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 9.3% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.4% | Lansing + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 16.8% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Lansing
32.2 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 48.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 32.2 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Boulder +
Lansing
55.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boulder + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Lansing
21.2 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 21.2 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Housing costs differ substantially: the median home in Boulder costs $970,905, which is 484% more expensive than Lansing's median of $166,132. In Lansing, a median home costs 3.2× the annual household income, compared to 11.4× in Boulder. On public safety, Lansing is 8% safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in the other city. Economically, Boulder has an edge with a lower unemployment rate of 6.1% and a higher median household income of $85,364. For quality of life, Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 6.2 µg/m³), and Boulder has a lower obesity rate (16.5%). If affordable housing is a priority, Lansing presents a compelling case with home prices 83% below Boulder. Use the detailed table above to weigh all 27 metrics based on what matters most to you.
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