Kansas City KS 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)
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
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
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Lansing
112,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Lansing
10.1%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Lansing
5.3%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Lansing
12.9%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 112,546 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 33.5 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 10.1% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 56.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 20.4% | 23.4% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 5.3% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 12.9% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Kansas City +
Lansing
$52,170
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Lansing
$29,894
Lansing +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Lansing
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Lansing
8.1%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
Lansing
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $52,170 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $29,894 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $58,052 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.1% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 19.9% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 29.6% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Lansing
53.9%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 53.9% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Lansing
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 471 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1590 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Lansing
39.9%
Lansing +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Lansing
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Lansing
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Lansing
16.8%
Lansing +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 39.9% | Lansing + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.4% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.6% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.4% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 16.8% | Lansing + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Lansing
48.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 32.2 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
Lansing
55.0%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kansas City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 21.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $59,183, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lansing scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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