Lansing MI vs Schenectady 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%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Lansing +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Lansing
56.1%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 28,542 | Lansing + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 42.3 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 6.8% | Lansing + |
| White | 56.1% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 23.4% | 3.1% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 3.0% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 4.7% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $321,835 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Schenectady
1736
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 434 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1736 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Schenectady
38.6%
Schenectady +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Schenectady
19.2%
Schenectady +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Schenectady
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Lansing +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 38.6% | Schenectady + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.2% | Schenectady + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.7% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.9% | Lansing + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Schenectady, NY | 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
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Schenectady + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 26.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Schenectady has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Schenectady scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.6%.
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