Cost of Living in East Lansing, Michigan
East Lansing has a population of about 45,758. The median household income is $45,687, median gross rent is $1,171/month, and the median home value is $270,800. These figures come from 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year estimates, the latest full-coverage Census baseline for U.S. cities.
How current is this? Census city data is released with a lag because it is survey-based and designed for consistent coverage across small and large places. Use it as an official affordability baseline; current apartment listings and mortgage rates may differ.
Is East Lansing expensive to live in?
Compared with the national median in this dataset, rent in East Lansing is 29% below the national median and home values are 28% below the national median. Household income here is 46% below the national median. Monthly rent represents roughly 31% of the median annual household income, a rough affordability signal for renters.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in East Lansing?
The median gross rent in East Lansing, Michigan is $1,171 per month in the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year estimates.
What is the median home price in East Lansing?
The median owner-occupied home value in East Lansing is $270,800 in the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year estimates.
How much do people earn in East Lansing?
The median household income in East Lansing is $45,687 per year in the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year estimates.
Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year Estimates. Local database last refreshed 2026-07-11.