Lansing MI vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Manchester
115,415
Manchester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Lansing
56.1%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Manchester
4.6%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 115,415 | Manchester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.9 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 56.1% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 23.4% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 4.6% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 33.5% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
Manchester
49.3%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $441,257 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 49.3% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Manchester
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Manchester
16.4%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 35.0% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.4% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.9% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.4% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 12.9% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Manchester
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 49.2°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 44.6 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Manchester +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Manchester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 25.7 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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