Below Average CostVery SafeEast Lansing School District
Downtown East Lansing (2022) · WeaponizingArchitecture / CC BY-SA 4.0Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum - panoramio · Andrew Martin / CC BY 3.0Red Cedar River Michigan State University 27 October 2014 · Tim Kiser (TimK MSI) / CC0Michigan State Medical Society Building, Saginaw Street and Abbot Road, East Lansing, MI - 54382312498 · w_lemay / CC BY-SA 2.0
East Lansing is a small city of 45,403 in Michigan, with a median household income of $44,094
and a 6.7% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is
7% below the national average.
Strengths:
East Lansing stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (A-), a well-educated population, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether East Lansing is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All East Lansing city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 92.8
East Lansing's overall cost of living index is 92.8,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in East Lansing costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.
Metric
East Lansing, MI
National Avg
Median Home Value
$240,800
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$1,080
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
39.7%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$44,094
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
East Lansing's violent crime rate is 219.9 per 100,000 residents
— 42% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
219.9 /100k
Property Crime
1220.5 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
East Lansing is served primarily by East Lansing School District.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.9:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
East Lansing, MI
National Avg
School District
East Lansing School District
—
Elementary Schools
6
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
16.9:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
67.8%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
98.3%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
East Lansing sees average highs of 31.8°F in January
and 83.0°F in July,
with 34.6 inches of annual precipitation
and 36.0 inches of snow per year.
East Lansing's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average.
That makes East Lansing roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $240,800 and median rent is $1,080/month.
East Lansing's violent crime rate is 219.9 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1220.5 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in East Lansing are operated by East Lansing School District.
The district has 6 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.9:1. 67.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
East Lansing, MI has a population of 45,403, a median household income of $44,094, and an unemployment rate of 6.7%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
East Lansing averages 31.8°F in January and 83.0°F in July. Annual rainfall is 34.6 inches
with about 36.0 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
East Lansing, MI is covered by 3 ZIP codes: 48823, 48824, 48825.
The population of East Lansing, Michigan is 45,403 with a median age of 21.4. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in East Lansing: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $240,800, median household income $44,094, crime index 58 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare East Lansing side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
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