Lansing MI vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Lansing
56.1%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 56.1% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 23.4% | 2.7% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $60,713 | Salt Lake City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $580,126 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 46.8% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1931 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 52.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salt Lake City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 21.3 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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