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Cost of living in Lansing, MI

Livability score 67 · cost-of-living index 93.0 (US = 100)

Lansing, MI
Photo: Andrew Martin via Commons · CC BY 3.0

How Lansing compares

Where Lansing falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).

Cost-of-living index (US=100) 85 118 Cost-of-living index (US=100): 93 — range 85 to 118 across all metros 93 Median home price $149k $1610k Median home price: $250k — range $149k to $1610k across all metros $250k Price per sqft (more house = lower) $88 $1074 Price per sqft (more house = lower): $152 — range $88 to $1074 across all metros $152 Combined sales tax 0.0% 11.5% Combined sales tax: 6.0% — range 0.0% to 11.5% across all metros 6.0% Property tax rate 0.28% 2.76% Property tax rate: 1.58% — range 0.28% to 2.76% across all metros 1.58% Violent crime (per 100k, state avg) 110 1,000 Violent crime (per 100k, state avg): 460 — range 110 to 1,000 across all metros 460 Electricity (¢/kWh) 12.3 46.6 Electricity (¢/kWh): 21.4 — range 12.3 to 46.6 across all metros 21.4 Avg summer high (°F) 65° 104° Avg summer high (°F): 83° — range 65° to 104° across all metros 83° Avg winter low (°F) -2° 72° Avg winter low (°F): 16° — range -2° to 72° across all metros 16°

Map of Lansing

Grocery stores, parks, golf courses and more — real listings. Toggle categories in the legend.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · business listings via Google Maps

Cost of living

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)93.0metro-area#73 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)94.1metro-area#31 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)$5.29metro-area#70 of 200
Median household income$68,270metro-area#117 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)$37,302metro-area#140 of 200

Who lives here

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Median age36.5 yearsmetro-area#45 of 200
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)37.3%metro-area#63 of 200
Foreign-born residents7.0%metro-area#118 of 200
Homes that are owner-occupied66.8%metro-area#96 of 200

Economy

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Unemployment rate5.43%metro-area#125 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)+14.2%metro-area#13 of 200

Housing — what your money buys

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Median home price$250,377metro-area#43 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)3.7×metro-area#29 of 200
1-yr home appreciation+3.7%metro-area#36 of 200
Price per square foot$152metro-area#65 of 200
Typical home size (implied)1,650 sqft
Median rent (monthly)$1,265metro-area#20 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)1,244
Median days on market7metro-area#18 of 200

Taxes

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)10.0%state#97 of 200
Combined sales tax6.00%state#16 of 200
State income tax (top rate)4.25%
Capital gains tax4.25%state#78 of 200
High earnersNo special surtax
Social Security in retirementNot taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate1.58%metro-area#155 of 200
Median property tax paid$2,908metro-area#117 of 200

Health & childcare

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Life expectancy at birth76.6 yearsmetro-area#96 of 200
Healthcare (annual, single adult)$6,500state#53 of 200
Uninsured (share of residents)5.3%metro-area#26 of 200
Primary care providers per 100k82metro-area#69 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)$11,000state#99 of 200

Vehicles & commute

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Annual registration$200state#135 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)0.61% of value (~$171/yr)state#109 of 200
Emissions testingNot required
Emissions detailNo vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices4
Avg commute to work22 minmetro-area#48 of 200
Commute by driving alone70.8%metro-area#45 of 200
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min22.7%metro-area#27 of 200

Utilities & fuel

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Electricity21.4¢/kWhstate#141 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill$193state#141 of 200
Gasoline$3.35/galstate#111 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)$78state#139 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)$74state#28 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)$78state#77 of 200

Insurance

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Home insurance (annual)$1,300state#22 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)$2,700state#175 of 200

Disaster risk & supplemental insurance

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Main natural hazardsLower natural-disaster risk; standard home coverage usually sufficient.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)76.0 — Relatively Lowmetro-area#16 of 200
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)$600state#16 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)$100state#1 of 200

Climate & air quality

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)40metro-area#40 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)600metro-area#14 of 200
Homes with air conditioning (state)87%state#151 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)6,600metro-area#181 of 200
Days per year ≥ 90°F7metro-area#32 of 200
Days per year ≥ 100°F0metro-area#5 of 200
Avg summer high (state)83°Fmetro-area#21 of 200
Avg winter low16°Fmetro-area#168 of 200
Annual precipitation34.3"metro-area#55 of 200
Annual snowfall45.0"metro-area#157 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)53%metro-area#168 of 200
Plant hardiness zone6a
Frost window04-30 → 10-15

Safety

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)460state#143 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)1,600state#37 of 200

Local amenities & recreation

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Grocery stores120metro-area#5 of 200
Parks60
Hiking areas15
Golf courses15
Shooting ranges4
Lakes4

Permits

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)3state#87 of 200
Permit detailModerate

US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.

Top employers in Lansing

Major public and private employers in the Lansing, MI area.

EmployerSectorJobs
State of Michigan Government Careers →
Michigan State University Education Careers →
Sparrow Health System Healthcare Careers →
Neogen Corporation Tech Careers →
Auto-Owners Insurance Finance Careers →

Salaries by occupation in Lansing

Local median pay, BLS OEWS. All occupations →

OccupationMedian pay
Dentists $216,270
Pharmacists $133,310
Physician Assistants $130,730
Financial Managers $128,240
Lawyers $127,420
Human Resources Managers $123,200
Marketing Managers $119,870
General & Operations Managers $114,960
Construction Managers $105,230
Physical Therapists $100,500
Mechanical Engineers $97,250
Software Developers $96,730
Civil Engineers $85,860
Registered Nurses $81,540
Data Scientists $81,180
Dental Hygienists $78,830
Accountants & Auditors $76,610
Web Developers $76,020
Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters $73,010
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $71,340
Electricians $66,200
Elementary School Teachers $61,000
Carpenters $59,140
Graphic Designers $58,090
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $52,930
Welders, Cutters & Solderers $46,430
Medical Assistants $39,550

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