Lansing MI vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 34.8 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 56.1% | 16.5% | Lansing + |
| Black | 23.4% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 1.9% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Lansing +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Lansing +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Lansing +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $48,416 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $25,509 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 10.9% | Lansing + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 24.7% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 17.4% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $482,675 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 24.1% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Lansing +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Lansing +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.6% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 20.0% | Lansing + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 23.4% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 18.2% | Lansing + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 54.9°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 46.3 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Lansing has a lower unemployment rate at 8.1%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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