Lansing MI vs New Bedford 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%
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Lansing +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Lansing
56.1%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 100,731 | Lansing + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.0 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 56.1% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 23.4% | 6.0% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 1.5% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
New Bedford
$56,025
New Bedford +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
New Bedford
$30,475
New Bedford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
New Bedford
7.6%
New Bedford +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $56,025 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $30,475 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 7.6% | New Bedford + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 19.9% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 16.8% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $439,767 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 40.0% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Lansing +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
New Bedford
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Lansing +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 36.3% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.2% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 22.0% | Lansing + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.1% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.0% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 21.4% | Lansing + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 51.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 51.9 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Bedford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 27.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Bedford leads in median household income at $56,025, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. New Bedford has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Bedford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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