Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Lansing
112,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Lansing
23.4%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 112,546 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.5 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 10.1% | Lansing + |
| White | 11.7% | 56.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 76.8% | 23.4% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 12.9% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Lansing
$52,170
Lansing +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Lansing
$29,894
Lansing +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Lansing
$58,052
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Lansing
8.1%
Lansing +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $52,170 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $29,894 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,052 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 8.1% | Lansing + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 19.9% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 29.6% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Lansing
$166,132
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $166,132 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 53.9% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Lansing
471
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Lansing
1590
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 471 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1590 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Lansing
39.9%
Lansing +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Lansing
19.6%
Lansing +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Lansing
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Lansing
16.8%
Lansing +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 39.9% | Lansing + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.4% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 19.6% | Lansing + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 9.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.4% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 16.8% | Lansing + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Lansing
32.2 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 48.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 32.2 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Lansing
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 21.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lansing leads in median household income at $52,170, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Lansing is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Lansing has a lower unemployment rate at 8.1%, and Lansing has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lansing scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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