East Lansing, MI Cost Of Living

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-24

Cost Of Living In East Lansing, MI Summary

Cost of living in East Lansing research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means East Lansing is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in Michigan, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in East Lansing is 98, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in East Lansing is 1.0x lower than the national average.

  • East Lansing ranks as the #125 cheapest in Michigan out of 180.

  • East Lansing ranks as the #2,372 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in East Lansing is $309,744.

  • The median income in East Lansing is $43,547.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
98
East Lansing's Overall Cost Of Living
1.0x
Lower Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in East Lansing, MI?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, East Lansing has an overall cost of living index of 98, which is 1.0x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to Michigan, East Lansing has a cost of living index that's 1.1x higher than Michigan's index of 90.

The standard of living in East Lansing ranks as #125 most affordable out of the 180 places we measured in Michigan. By definition, that implies East Lansing ranks as the #55 most expensive place in the Wolverine State.

For more reading on life in East Lansing, check out:

125 out of 180
In Michigan
2,372 out of 6,489
In America

East Lansing Cost Of Living Vs. Michigan

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in East Lansing. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in East Lansing is 91.

  • The Groceries index in East Lansing is 96.

  • The Health index in East Lansing is 96.

  • The Housing index in East Lansing is 104.

  • The Transportation index in East Lansing is 97.

  • The Utilities index in East Lansing is 101.

Living Expense East Lansing Michigan National Average
Overall 98 90 100
Services 91 93 100
Groceries 96 97 100
Health 96 91 100
Housing 104 72 100
Transportation 97 96 100
Utilities 101 99 100
For more reading on cost of living around Michigan, check out:
East Lansing Cost of Living Vs. MI

East Lansing, MI Housing Cost Breakdown

Housing swings affordability the most between places in Michigan, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2019-2023. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in East Lansing is $309,744.

  • The Median Rent in East Lansing is $1,122.

  • The Median Income in East Lansing is $43,547.

  • The Home Value To Income in East Lansing is 7.1x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in East Lansing is 0.31x.

Statistic East Lansing Michigan United States
Median Home Value $309,744 $258,642 $303,400
Median Rent $1,122 $1,084 $1,348
Median Income $43,547 $71,149 $78,538
Home Value To Income 7.1x 3.6x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.31x 0.18x 0.21x
$309,744
Median Home Value
$1,122
Median Rent
$43,547
Median Income

East Lansing, MI Costs By Category

Detailed East Lansing Services Costs Vs. Michigan

Item East Lansing Michigan
Shampoo $1.4 $1.28
Movie $11.22 $12.13
Bowling $22.17 $18
Haircut $24.53 $24.26
Beauty Salon $56.27 $45.56

Detailed East Lansing Groceries Costs Vs. Michigan

Item East Lansing Michigan
Ground Beef $5.51 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.69 $1.57
Milk $4.84 $4.67
Potatoes $4.77 $4.93
Pizza $10.99 $12.09
Beer $9.38 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.64 $3.7

Detailed East Lansing Health Costs Vs. Michigan

Item East Lansing Michigan
Optometrist $91.4 $125.68
Doctor $139.14 $135.78
Dentist $120.35 $113.29

Detailed East Lansing Transportation Costs Vs. Michigan

Item East Lansing Michigan
Gasoline $3.42 $3.46
Tire Balancing $60.57 $59.92

Detailed East Lansing Utilities Costs Vs. Michigan

Item East Lansing Michigan
All Electricity $180.47 $193.99
Phone $184.98 $192.25

East Lansing SnackAbility

8
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
5/10
Housing
8
Affordability
4
Diversity
8
Safety
7
Amenities
9.5
Education
10
Commute
9.5

Cost Of Living In Cities Around East Lansing

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around East Lansing. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:

  • Lansing, MI has a cost of living index of 85, 0.9x East Lansing.

  • Okemos, MI has a cost of living index of 104, 1.1x East Lansing.

  • Holt, MI has a cost of living index of 95, 1.0x East Lansing.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. East Lansing
Lansing, MI 112,546 85 0.9x
Okemos, MI 25,503 104 1.1x
Holt, MI 25,275 95 1.0x
Waverly, MI 23,301 95 1.0x
Haslett, MI 19,025 97 1.0x
Mason, MI 8,239 88 0.9x
Grand Ledge, MI 7,797 92 0.9x
St. Johns, MI 7,712 87 0.9x
Eaton Rapids, MI 5,197 84 0.9x

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