Lansing MI vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Lansing +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Lansing
23.4%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 102,866 | Lansing + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 33.9 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 8.9% | Lansing + |
| White | 56.1% | 54.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 23.4% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 1.7% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
South Bend
$52,512
South Bend +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Lansing +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $52,512 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $29,511 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 22.6% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 29.4% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
South Bend
$194,972
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $194,972 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
South Bend
1719
| Metric | Lansing, MI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1719 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
South Bend
39.7%
South Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Lansing +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Lansing +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 39.7% | South Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.2% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 20.3% | Lansing + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.6% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 18.2% | Lansing + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 49.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 38.0 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
South Bend +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lansing, MI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | South Bend + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
South Bend
21.6 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 21.6 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
South Bend leads in median household income at $52,512, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and South Bend has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, South Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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