Lansing MI vs Milwaukee WI — 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Milwaukee
4.8%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 10.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 56.1% | 36.5% | Lansing + |
| Black | 23.4% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 4.8% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Lansing +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Lansing +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $51,888 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $29,679 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 5.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 23.3% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 26.6% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Milwaukee
$226,456
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $226,456 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 41.5% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Lansing +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Lansing +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 41.8% | Lansing + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.7% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.1% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 14.1% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 17.3% | Lansing + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
Milwaukee
35.5 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 35.5 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Milwaukee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 24.1 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lansing leads in median household income at $52,170, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Milwaukee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lansing scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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