Lansing MI vs Syracuse 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 56.1% | 51.9% | Lansing + |
| Black | 23.4% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 10.3% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Lansing +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Lansing +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Syracuse
7.4%
Syracuse +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $45,845 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $27,570 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 7.4% | Syracuse + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 29.6% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Syracuse
$215,134
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $215,134 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 41.3% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 434 | Syracuse + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1736 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Lansing +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Lansing +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Syracuse
16.1%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 41.5% | Lansing + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.7% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 20.8% | Lansing + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.7% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.1% | Syracuse + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Syracuse
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 49.0°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 41.5 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lansing leads in median household income at $52,170, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Syracuse is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Syracuse has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lansing scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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