Lansing MI vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Lansing +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 71,124 | Lansing + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.0 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 8.3% | Lansing + |
| White | 56.1% | 32.4% | Lansing + |
| Black | 23.4% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 1.6% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 11.8% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Wilmington
$55,269
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Wilmington
7.6%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Wilmington
33.1%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $55,269 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 7.6% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 23.2% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 33.1% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $327,117 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 46.0% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1991 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Lansing +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Wilmington
16.4%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 41.0% | Lansing + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.0% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.7% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.4% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Wilmington
54.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 54.4°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 49.3 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 25.0 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $55,269, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lansing scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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