Hartford CT 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)
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
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
Hartford
119,970
Hartford +
Lansing
112,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Lansing
33.5
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Lansing
10.1%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Lansing
23.4%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Lansing
12.9%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 112,546 | Hartford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 33.5 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 10.1% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 56.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 36.1% | 23.4% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 12.9% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Lansing
$52,170
Lansing +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Lansing
$29,894
Lansing +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Lansing
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Lansing
8.1%
Lansing +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $52,170 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $29,894 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $58,052 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 8.1% | Lansing + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 19.9% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 29.6% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 53.9% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Lansing
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Lansing
1590
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 471 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1590 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Lansing
39.9%
Lansing +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Lansing
19.6%
Lansing +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Lansing
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Hartford +
Lansing
16.8%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 39.9% | Lansing + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.4% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 19.6% | Lansing + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 9.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.4% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.8% | Hartford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 48.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 32.2 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
Lansing
55.0%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 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, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Lansing has a lower unemployment rate at 8.1%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lansing scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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