Lansing MI vs Salem 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Lansing
56.1%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.7 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 56.1% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 23.4% | 1.6% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 3.5% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $438,754 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3001 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Lansing +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 41.4% | Lansing + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.6% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 53.0°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 39.7 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 24.5 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lansing scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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