Lansing MI vs Wilmington NC — 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, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.6 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 56.1% | 48.7% | Lansing + |
| Black | 23.4% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 2.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Wilmington
$57,673
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Wilmington
$59,120
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $57,673 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $419,326 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1999 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Wilmington
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Lansing +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.6% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.5% | Lansing + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 63.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 58.4 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 23.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $57,673, 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 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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