Lansing MI vs Montgomery AL — 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Montgomery
3.3%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 198,440 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 36.2 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 5.5% | Lansing + |
| White | 56.1% | 27.7% | Lansing + |
| Black | 23.4% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 3.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 4.8% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Montgomery
$55,687
Montgomery +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Lansing +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Montgomery
6.5%
Montgomery +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $55,687 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $32,068 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $51,690 | Lansing + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 6.5% | Montgomery + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 20.9% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 33.5% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 54.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Montgomery
1734
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 400 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1734 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Lansing +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Montgomery
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Montgomery
15.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 46.4% | Lansing + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.7% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.0% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.3% | Montgomery + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 64.5°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 52.8 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Montgomery + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Montgomery
22.0 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 22.0 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Montgomery leads in median household income at $55,687, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Montgomery is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Montgomery has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lansing scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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