Cost of Living in Lansing, MI - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $935 (excluding rent), and $1,916 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,461 (excluding rent), and $3,792 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$18.14 $18.14

$10.08 $10.08

$35.27 $35.27

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$75.2 $75.2

$40.09 $40.09

$100 $100

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.16 $12.16

$10.92 $10.92

$12.9 $12.9

Cappuccino

$4.49 $4.49

$1.52 $1.52

$10.16 $10.16

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.24 $2.24

$1.71 $1.71

$2.93 $2.93

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.96 $1.96

$0.98 $0.98

$2.94 $2.94

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.93 $4.93

$3.94 $3.94

$11.83 $11.83

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.89 $5.89

$5.4 $5.4

$7.85 $7.85

Milk (1 liter)

$0.81 $0.81

$0.65 $0.65

$4.11 $4.11

White Bread (500g)

$2.62 $2.62

$1.83 $1.83

$4.31 $4.31

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.04 $4.04

$2.26 $2.26

$6.78 $6.78

Eggs

$2.62 $2.62

$1.38 $1.38

$6.96 $6.96

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.35 $7.35

$5.67 $5.67

$36.17 $36.17

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.4 $11.4

$6.53 $6.53

$21.84 $21.84

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.96 $14.96

$8.66 $8.66

$25.97 $25.97

Apples (1kg)

$3.91 $3.91

$2.23 $2.23

$11.15 $11.15

Banana (1kg)

$1.87 $1.87

$1.03 $1.03

$4.52 $4.52

Oranges (1kg)

$3.31 $3.31

$1.99 $1.99

$10.97 $10.97

Tomato (1kg)

$3.11 $3.11

$1.02 $1.02

$6.77 $6.77

Potato (1kg)

$2.31 $2.31

$1 $1

$8.92 $8.92

Onion (1kg)

$1.98 $1.98

$1.09 $1.09

$6.53 $6.53

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.49 $2.49

$1.83 $1.83

$4.09 $4.09

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.18 $2.18

$1.5 $1.5

$5.03 $5.03

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.34 $9.34

$8.08 $8.08

$14.64 $14.64

Wine (Bottle)

$15.73 $15.73

$7.06 $7.06

$50.4 $50.4

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.01 $2.01

$1.6 $1.6

$3.64 $3.64

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.04 $3.04

$1.95 $1.95

$5.84 $5.84

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.53 $1.53

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$29.87 $29.87

$34.85 $34.85

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.44 $2.44

$9.76 $9.76

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$0.9 $0.9

$1.36 $1.36

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$9.96 $9.96

$39.84 $39.84

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.81 $0.81

$0.69 $0.69

$0.96 $0.96

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$24.9K $24.9K

$23.1K $23.1K

$36K $36K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$24.8K $24.8K

$23.8K $23.8K

$26.2K $26.2K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$170 $170

$117 $117

$246 $246

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$45.32 $45.32

$29.56 $29.56

$64.1 $64.1

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$57.4 $57.4

$49.24 $49.24

$97.1 $97.1

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$31.12 $31.12

$9.83 $9.83

$34.39 $34.39

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$22.21 $22.21

$19.74 $19.74

$24.68 $24.68

Cinema Ticket

$9.02 $9.02

$7.8 $7.8

$11.71 $11.71

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$295 $295

$3,441 $3,441

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.1K $14.1K

$8,913 $8,913

$19.3K $19.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$43.63 $43.63

$30.21 $30.21

$75.5 $75.5

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$44.31 $44.31

$29.54 $29.54

$64 $64

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$68.6 $68.6

$39.33 $39.33

$123 $123

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$66.5 $66.5

$40.32 $40.32

$151 $151

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$895 $895

$502 $502

$1,292 $1,292

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$793 $793

$507 $507

$1,204 $1,204

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,798 $1,798

$1,418 $1,418

$2,431 $2,431

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,250 $1,250

$857 $857

$1,815 $1,815

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,492 $1,492

$1,450 $1,450

$18K $18K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,524 $1,524

$1,481 $1,481

$16.2K $16.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,309 $3,309

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.51

6.8

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 23, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Lansing, MI - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Lansing, MI, United States typically sits below many coastal metros, making it appealing for travelers, expats, and digital nomads seeking balance. You'll find a range of housing options, from compact downtown apartments to larger family-friendly units, often with room to work from home. Groceries and dining out can be budget-friendly, especially outside peak tourist seasons. Neighborhoods like Downtown and Old Town offer walkable amenities, while West and South Lansing provide quieter options with easier parking. Public transit and biking are practical ways to get around, plus seasonal markets add local flavor. Tip: Start with short-term rentals to gauge how you value space and proximity to work or study hubs.

Expect a pragmatic daily rhythm in Lansing with a mix of affordable groceries, casual dining, and budget-friendly entertainment. Housing searches cluster around Downtown, Old Town, and the Westside, where you can walk to amenities or ride-share to a quiet workspace. For meals, you'll find farmers markets, casual eateries, and reliable grocery chains – great for batch cooking. Transit is practical via a regional bus network, and many neighborhoods are bike-friendly. Co-working spaces and coffee shops offer reliable workdays, along with university-affiliated spaces nearby if you want a quieter spot. Lansing, MI, United States living cost is a useful lens as you plan errands and routines. Tip: Try a two-week field test of neighborhoods before committing.

Quality of life in Lansing blends midwest practicality with cultural offerings. Create a simple budgeting framework: separate needs vs. wants, set a flexible cap for housing, groceries, and transit, and leave room for local experiences like festivals or river trail activities. For seasonality, plan for cold winters and warm summers, which affects heating use, wardrobe, and outdoor plans. To find the right fit, visit a few neighborhoods at different times of day and week, note access to parks, coffee spots, and coworking options. Growth in East Lansing's proximity to campuses adds energy, while Downtown appeals to walkability. Tip: bookmark a few low-cost amenities and rotate them to maintain balance without overspending.