salaryRent is lower than in 79% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 18.9 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $45,960 a year. That is $22 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Michigan cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Michigan. It is number 61 of 179 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Lansing?
Share of households by yearly income. 10.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Lansing
| Size | Lansing | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $833 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $929 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,181 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,439 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,368 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Lansing overall?
Everyday prices in the Lansing-East Lansing metro area are 5% below the U.S. average (index 95.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Lansing
Life in Lansing
What jobs pay in Lansing
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $133,300 | 10.3% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,450 | 10.7% |
| Lawyer | $128,610 | 10.7% |
| Physician Assistant | $128,230 | 10.8% |
| Operations Manager | $119,140 | 11.6% |
| Software Developer | $97,120 | 14.2% |
| Civil Engineer | $96,040 | 14.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $90,710 | 15.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $84,870 | 16.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $84,320 | 16.4% |
| Electrician | $80,480 | 17.1% |
| Accountant | $79,210 | 17.4% |
| Plumber | $78,190 | 17.6% |
| Police Officer | $75,670 | 18.2% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $72,930 | 18.9% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $66,680 | 20.7% |
| Market Research Analyst | $64,690 | 21.3% |
| Carpenter | $64,270 | 21.5% |
| HVAC Technician | $60,440 | 22.8% |
| Firefighter | $57,540 | 24.0% |
| Truck Driver | $56,710 | 24.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $44,250 | 31.2% |
| Warehouse Worker | $40,060 | 34.4% |
| Medical Assistant | $38,600 | 35.7% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,550 | 35.8% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $38,210 | 36.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $37,100 | 37.2% |
| Retail Salesperson | $33,840 | 40.7% |
| Cashier | $29,930 | 46.1% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Lansing?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $256 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $128,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $12,870 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Lansing, MI?
Renting in Lansing costs a median of about $1,149 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Michigan median is $1,314.
How much do I need to make to live in Lansing?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $45,960 a year, or $22 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Lansing cheap or expensive?
Lansing is rated OK: rent takes 23.5% of the typical household income of $58,651. It ranks 61st cheapest of 179 Michigan cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Lansing?
The median homeowner in Lansing pays $2,716 a year in property taxes, about 2.11% of the median home value.
Is Lansing more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 5% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Lansing?
The median home value in Lansing is $128,700, about 2.2 times the typical yearly household income.
113,023 people live in Lansing. Numbers are typical (middle) values.