Lansing MI vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Lansing
56.1%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 38.6 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 56.1% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 23.4% | 5.8% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 11.3% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $538,687 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 52.8% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3001 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Lansing +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.7% | Lansing + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 51.6°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 78.3 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Portland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 26.5 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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