Flint 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)
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
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
Flint
80,835
Lansing
112,546
Lansing +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
White
Flint
34.4%
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Lansing
23.4%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 112,546 | Lansing + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 33.5 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 10.1% | Lansing + |
| White | 34.4% | 56.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 56.6% | 23.4% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 12.9% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Lansing
$52,170
Lansing +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Lansing
$29,894
Lansing +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Lansing
$58,052
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Lansing
8.1%
Lansing +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $52,170 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $29,894 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,052 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 8.1% | Lansing + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 19.9% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 29.6% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Lansing
$166,132
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Lansing
53.9%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $166,132 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 53.9% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Lansing
471
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Lansing
1590
Tie
| Metric | Flint, 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
Flint
50.5%
Lansing
39.9%
Lansing +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Lansing
19.6%
Lansing +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Lansing
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Lansing
16.8%
Lansing +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 39.9% | Lansing + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 12.4% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 19.6% | Lansing + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.4% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 16.8% | Lansing + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Lansing
48.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Lansing
32.2 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 48.8°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 32.2 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Lansing
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Flint, 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
Flint
25.0 min
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 21.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lansing leads in median household income at $52,170, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Lansing is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. 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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