Lansing MI vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Stamford
19.9%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 135,806 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 38.2 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 56.1% | 49.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 23.4% | 19.9% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $708,498 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 47.5% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Stamford
16.4%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.4% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 52.3°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 53.2 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Stamford +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stamford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 30.1 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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