Lansing MI vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 56.1% | 40.7% | Lansing + |
| Black | 23.4% | 13.3% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Providence
7.4%
Providence +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 7.4% | Providence + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 20.1% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $429,449 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 41.2% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Providence
19.6%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Lansing +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.6% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 14.6% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.7% | Lansing + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 27.4 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Providence has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
Compare More Cities
Lansing, MI vs New York, NYLansing, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lansing, MIHouston, TX vs Lansing, MILansing, MI vs Phoenix, AZLansing, MI vs Philadelphia, PA