Lansing MI vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
North Charleston
34.3
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Lansing
23.4%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 117,460 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 34.3 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 56.1% | 39.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 23.4% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 3.5% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 12.8% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Lansing +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $62,789 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $54,550 | Lansing + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 28.0% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $313,219 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 48.5% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Lansing, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1999 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Lansing +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.2% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 15.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 19.8% | Lansing + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 26.8 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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