Lansing MI vs Springfield IL — 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%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Springfield
113,714
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Lansing
56.1%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Springfield
19.8%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Springfield
2.9%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 113,714 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 40.7 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 4.5% | Lansing + |
| White | 56.1% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 23.4% | 19.8% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 2.9% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 3.4% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Springfield
6.7%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Springfield
16.5%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $65,537 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $41,110 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $68,110 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 6.7% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 16.5% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 35.1% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Springfield
$168,312
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $168,312 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Springfield
1842
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 344 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1842 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Lansing +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Springfield
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Lansing +
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Springfield
14.7%
Springfield +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 41.1% | Lansing + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.9% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.7% | Lansing + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.7% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
Springfield
37.7 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 37.7 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $65,537, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lansing scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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