Lansing MI vs Paterson 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Paterson
N/A
White
Lansing
56.1%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 56.1% | N/A | - |
| Black | 23.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 5.3% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $527,542 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Paterson
37.5%
Paterson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Paterson
18.6%
Paterson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Paterson
16.4%
Paterson +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 37.5% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.1% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.6% | Paterson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 28.6% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.4% | Paterson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Paterson, NJ | 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
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Paterson +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Paterson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Paterson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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