Lansing MI vs New Orleans LA — 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 Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Lansing
23.4%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 38.4 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 6.6% | Lansing + |
| White | 56.1% | 31.6% | Lansing + |
| Black | 23.4% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 2.8% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 7.9% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
New Orleans
$55,339
New Orleans +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Lansing +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
New Orleans
7.8%
New Orleans +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $55,339 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $55,297 | Lansing + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 7.8% | New Orleans + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 22.6% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
New Orleans
$245,988
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
New Orleans
50.5%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $245,988 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 50.5% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Lansing +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Lansing, MI | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 643 | Lansing + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2824 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
New Orleans
19.4%
New Orleans +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Lansing +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
New Orleans
15.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.1% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.4% | New Orleans + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 19.7% | Lansing + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.5% | New Orleans + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 66.6 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | New Orleans + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Orleans + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 24.6 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Orleans leads in median household income at $55,339, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Lansing is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. New Orleans has a lower unemployment rate at 7.8%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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