Lansing MI vs Plymouth MN — 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%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Lansing +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Plymouth
13.6%
Plymouth +
White
Lansing
56.1%
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Plymouth
5.0%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Plymouth
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 79,526 | Lansing + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 40.7 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 13.6% | Plymouth + |
| White | 56.1% | 74.8% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 23.4% | 5.0% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 10.1% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 4.7% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Plymouth
$69,467
Plymouth +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $69,467 | Plymouth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 64.8% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Plymouth
$514,358
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $514,358 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Plymouth
1992
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1992 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Lansing +
Plymouth
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 24.1% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 18.5% | Lansing + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 8.5% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Plymouth, MN | 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
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Plymouth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Plymouth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Plymouth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Plymouth
24.5 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 24.5 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Plymouth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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