Rows tagged local are specific to Lansing (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Kansas City, MO. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 5/10 (district Lansing · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
93.2
metro-area
#76 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
96.6
metro-area
#99 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.30
metro-area
#74 of 200 metros
Median household income
$100,863
local
#1059 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$37,466
local
#2368 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
37.8 years
metro-area
#79 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
39.2%
metro-area
#46 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
7.2%
metro-area
#117 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
65.6%
metro-area
#110 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
3.56%
local
#786 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
-4.4%
local
#2966 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$233,900
local
#871 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
2.3×
local
#124 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+3.5%
metro-area
#41 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$123
local
#830 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,900 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,173
local
#874 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
6,593
Median days on market
5
metro-area
#1 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
11.2%
state
#58 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
8.70%
state
#135 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
5.58%
Capital gains tax
5.70%
state
#109 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
1.40%
local
#2244 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$3,274
local
#1380 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
77.1 years
metro-area
#81 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,500
state
#32 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
9.1%
metro-area
#114 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
81
metro-area
#75 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$12,000
state
#58 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$75
state
#74 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
1.93% of value (~$540/yr)
state
#192 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
5
Avg commute to work
20 min
local
#207 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
75.1%
metro-area
#98 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
30.7%
metro-area
#94 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
15.8¢/kWh
state
#13 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$142
state
#13 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.00/gal
state
#24 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$68
state
#100 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$92
state
#187 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$83
state
#182 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$3,300
state
#139 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,700
state
#83 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
87.7 — Relatively Moderate
metro-area
#81 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$650
state
#90 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#163 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
53
metro-area
#157 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
1,500
metro-area
#110 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
93%
state
#27 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
4,700
metro-area
#116 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
41
metro-area
#120 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
3
metro-area
#158 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
89°F
metro-area
#113 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
22°F
metro-area
#130 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
39.3"
metro-area
#74 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
18.2"
metro-area
#120 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
60%
metro-area
#85 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
6b
Frost window
04-20 → 10-20
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
410
state
#153 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,400
state
#157 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
35
metro-area
#133 of 200 metros
Parks
53
Hiking areas
28
Golf courses
25
Shooting ranges
7
Lakes
12
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#1 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Generally easy
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.