Lansing MI vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 114,799 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.5 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 56.1% | 50.9% | Lansing + |
| Black | 23.4% | 10.8% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 29.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $484,226 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 44.0% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.5% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.1% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 47.0 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 30.1 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
Compare More Cities
Lansing, MI vs New York, NYLansing, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lansing, MIHouston, TX vs Lansing, MILansing, MI vs Phoenix, AZLansing, MI vs Philadelphia, PA