Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Lansing
112,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Lansing
33.5
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Lansing
23.4%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 112,546 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 33.5 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 10.1% | Lansing + |
| White | 49.4% | 56.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 38.7% | 23.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 12.9% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Lansing
$52,170
Lansing +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Lansing
$29,894
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Cincinnati +
Lansing
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Cincinnati +
Lansing
8.1%
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Lansing
29.6%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $52,170 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $29,894 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,052 | Cincinnati + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 8.1% | Cincinnati + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 19.9% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 29.6% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 53.9% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Lansing
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 471 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1590 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Cincinnati +
Lansing
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Lansing
19.6%
Lansing +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Lansing
16.4%
Lansing +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Cincinnati +
Lansing
16.8%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 39.9% | Cincinnati + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.4% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 19.6% | Lansing + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 16.4% | Lansing + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.8% | Cincinnati + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 48.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 32.2 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Cincinnati +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Lansing
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Cincinnati + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 21.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lansing leads in median household income at $52,170, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Cincinnati has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cincinnati scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
Compare More Cities
Cincinnati, OH vs New York, NYCincinnati, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Cincinnati, OHCincinnati, OH vs Houston, TXCincinnati, OH vs Phoenix, AZCincinnati, OH vs Philadelphia, PA