Lansing MI vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.1 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 56.1% | 36.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 23.4% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Lansing +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 8.4% | Lansing + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 22.0% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Philadelphia
$233,814
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $233,814 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 52.3% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Philadelphia
1613
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1613 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 57.1°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 48.5 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Philadelphia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Philadelphia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 34.5 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Lansing has a lower unemployment rate at 8.1%, and Philadelphia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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