Lansing MI vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lansing
112,546
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Lansing
56.1%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 34.1 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 56.1% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 23.4% | 12.1% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $435,532 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 42.4% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Lansing +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Lansing +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.9% | Lansing + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.1% | Lansing + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 48.1 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 27.3 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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