Indianapolis IN 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)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
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
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Lansing
112,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
Lansing
10.1%
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Lansing
23.4%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Lansing
12.9%
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 112,546 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 33.5 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 10.1% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 53.6% | 56.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 28.1% | 23.4% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 12.9% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Lansing
$52,170
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Lansing
$29,894
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Indianapolis +
Lansing
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Lansing
8.1%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Lansing
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
Lansing
29.6%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $52,170 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $29,894 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $58,052 | Indianapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 8.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 19.9% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 29.6% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Lansing
53.9%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 53.9% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Lansing
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 471 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1590 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lansing
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lansing
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Lansing
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lansing
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lansing
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lansing
16.8%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Lansing
48.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 32.2 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Indianapolis +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Lansing
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Indianapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 21.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Indianapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³).
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