Cleveland 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Lansing
112,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Lansing
23.4%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 112,546 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 33.5 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 10.1% | Lansing + |
| White | 36.7% | 56.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 46.8% | 23.4% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 12.9% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Lansing
$52,170
Lansing +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Lansing
$29,894
Lansing +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Cleveland +
Lansing
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Lansing
8.1%
Lansing +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $52,170 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $29,894 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,052 | Cleveland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 8.1% | Lansing + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 19.9% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 29.6% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Lansing
$166,132
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $166,132 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 53.9% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Lansing
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 471 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1590 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Lansing
39.9%
Lansing +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Lansing
19.6%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Lansing
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Lansing
16.8%
Lansing +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 39.9% | Lansing + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.4% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.6% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.4% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 16.8% | Lansing + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 48.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 32.2 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Cleveland +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Lansing
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Cleveland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 21.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lansing leads in median household income at $52,170, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Lansing has a lower unemployment rate at 8.1%, and Cleveland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lansing scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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