Lansing MI vs Louisville KY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
Louisville
9.8%
White
Lansing
56.1%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.7 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 9.8% | Lansing + |
| White | 56.1% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 23.4% | 23.7% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 2.6% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 8.6% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Lansing +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Louisville
33.4%
Louisville +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $64,731 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $38,890 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $52,606 | Lansing + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 16.1% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 33.4% | Louisville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Louisville
$264,957
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $264,957 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
Louisville
43.3 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 43.3 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Louisville +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Louisville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Louisville
24.2 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 24.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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