Lansing MI vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Rochester
33.5
Tie
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 33.5 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 8.3% | Lansing + |
| White | 56.1% | 41.5% | Lansing + |
| Black | 23.4% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 3.2% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Lansing +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Rochester
$30,451
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Rochester
7.9%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $46,628 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $30,451 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 7.9% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 26.6% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Rochester
$241,627
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $241,627 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 37.2% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Rochester
1736
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1736 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Rochester
16.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 38.0% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.3% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.8% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.9% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.3% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.6% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 34.3 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lansing leads in median household income at $52,170, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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