Lansing MI vs Toledo OH — 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%
Toledo, OH
Ohio · Population: 268,461
- Median HH Income$47,532
- Median Home Price$130,101
- Unemployment8.5%
- Bachelor's+21.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Toledo
268,461
Toledo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Toledo
35.7
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
Toledo
3.4%
White
Lansing
56.1%
Toledo
58.7%
Toledo +
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Toledo
28.7%
Toledo +
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Toledo
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 268,461 | Toledo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.7 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 3.4% | Lansing + |
| White | 56.1% | 58.7% | Toledo + |
| Black | 23.4% | 28.7% | Toledo + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 1.4% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 8.9% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Lansing +
Toledo
$47,532
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Lansing +
Toledo
$27,407
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Toledo
$58,300
Toledo +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Lansing +
Toledo
8.5%
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Toledo
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
Toledo
21.0%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $47,532 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $27,407 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,300 | Toledo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 8.5% | Lansing + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 24.5% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 21.0% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
Toledo
52.7%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $130,101 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 52.7% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Toledo
319
Toledo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Toledo
1866
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 319 | Toledo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1866 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Toledo
39.3%
Toledo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Toledo
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Lansing +
Toledo
20.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Toledo
11.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Toledo
14.9%
Toledo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Lansing +
Toledo
19.9%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 39.3% | Toledo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.7% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 20.6% | Lansing + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.9% | Toledo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 19.9% | Lansing + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Toledo
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
Toledo
33.4 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 50.6°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 33.4 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Toledo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Toledo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Toledo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Toledo
21.3 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 21.3 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lansing leads in median household income at $52,170, while toledo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $130,101. On public safety, Toledo is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Lansing has a lower unemployment rate at 8.1%, and Toledo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Toledo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.3%.
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