Lansing MI vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Pittsburgh
33.5
Tie
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Lansing
56.1%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 33.5 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 9.3% | Lansing + |
| White | 56.1% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 23.4% | 22.5% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 4.2% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 19.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $240,538 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 47.2% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Pittsburgh
1613
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1613 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 51.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 39.3 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Pittsburgh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Pittsburgh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 25.0 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Pittsburgh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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