Lansing MI vs Utica 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%
Utica, NY
New York · Population: 51,054
- Median HH Income$57,688
- Median Home Price$205,924
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Lansing +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
Utica
9.7%
White
Lansing
56.1%
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Utica
16.9%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Utica
4.3%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Utica
9.8%
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 51,054 | Lansing + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 9.7% | Lansing + |
| White | 56.1% | 64.8% | Utica + |
| Black | 23.4% | 16.9% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 4.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 9.8% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Utica
$57,688
Utica +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Utica
$35,780
Utica +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Lansing +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Utica
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $57,688 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $35,780 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 9.4% | Lansing + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 23.8% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Utica
$205,924
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $205,924 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 36.8% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Utica
434
Utica +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Utica
1736
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 434 | Utica + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1736 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Utica
39.6%
Utica +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Utica
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Utica
19.4%
Utica +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Utica
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Utica
15.2%
Utica +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Lansing +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 39.6% | Utica + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.1% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.4% | Utica + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.1% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.2% | Utica + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 18.7% | Lansing + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Utica, NY | 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
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Utica
75.0%
Utica +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Utica + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Utica
22.7 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 22.7 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Utica leads in median household income at $57,688, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Utica is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Lansing has a lower unemployment rate at 8.1%, and Utica has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Utica scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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