Lansing MI vs St. Louis MO — 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Lansing
23.4%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
St. Louis
3.4%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 36.6 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 6.6% | Lansing + |
| White | 56.1% | 45.7% | Lansing + |
| Black | 23.4% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 3.4% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 5.1% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
St. Louis
$55,279
St. Louis +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
St. Louis
$58,527
St. Louis +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
St. Louis
19.8%
St. Louis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $55,279 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,527 | St. Louis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 19.8% | St. Louis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
St. Louis
$185,100
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $185,100 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 45.4% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Lansing +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Lansing, MI | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 501 | Lansing + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2418 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
St. Louis
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Lansing +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
St. Louis
16.8%
Tie
| Metric | Lansing, MI | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 36.8% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.2% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.8% | St. Louis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.4% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.9% | Lansing + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.8% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | St. Louis, MO | 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
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
St. Louis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
St. Louis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lansing, MI | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | St. Louis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 24.0 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Louis leads in median household income at $55,279, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Lansing is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and St. Louis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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