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

66.55
Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $912 (excluding rent), and $1,874 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,278 (excluding rent), and $3,665 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.64 $17.64
$9.8 $9.8
$34.31 $34.31
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.3 $76.3
$40.72 $40.72
$102 $102
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.28 $12.28
$11.03 $11.03
$13.03 $13.03
Cappuccino
$4.53 $4.53
$1.54 $1.54
$10.24 $10.24
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.34 $2.34
$1.79 $1.79
$3.06 $3.06
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.98 $1.98
$0.99 $0.99
$2.97 $2.97
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.03 $5.03
$4.03 $4.03
$12.08 $12.08
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.95 $5.95
$5.45 $5.45
$7.93 $7.93
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$0.83 $0.83
$0.66 $0.66
$4.18 $4.18
White Bread (500g)
$2.66 $2.66
$1.85 $1.85
$4.37 $4.37
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.92 $3.92
$2.19 $2.19
$6.57 $6.57
Eggs
$2.68 $2.68
$1.41 $1.41
$7.11 $7.11
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.12 $7.12
$5.49 $5.49
$35.06 $35.06
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.64 $11.64
$6.67 $6.67
$22.3 $22.3
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.45 $15.45
$8.94 $8.94
$26.83 $26.83
Apples (1kg)
$3.84 $3.84
$2.19 $2.19
$10.95 $10.95
Banana (1kg)
$1.77 $1.77
$0.97 $0.97
$4.29 $4.29
Oranges (1kg)
$3.23 $3.23
$1.94 $1.94
$10.69 $10.69
Tomato (1kg)
$3.07 $3.07
$1.01 $1.01
$6.67 $6.67
Potato (1kg)
$2.3 $2.3
$1 $1
$8.89 $8.89
Onion (1kg)
$1.94 $1.94
$1.07 $1.07
$6.42 $6.42
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.4 $2.4
$1.76 $1.76
$3.93 $3.93
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.19 $2.19
$1.5 $1.5
$5.05 $5.05
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.29 $9.29
$8.03 $8.03
$14.56 $14.56
Wine (Bottle)
$11.15 $11.15
$7.09 $7.09
$50.7 $50.7
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.95 $1.95
$1.55 $1.55
$3.53 $3.53
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.08 $3.08
$1.97 $1.97
$5.91 $5.91
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.46 $1.46
$1.46 $1.46
$1.46 $1.46
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$30.24 $30.24
$30.24 $30.24
$35.28 $35.28
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.54 $2.54
$2.54 $2.54
$10.17 $10.17
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.39 $1.39
$0.92 $0.92
$1.39 $1.39
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$9.86 $9.86
$9.86 $9.86
$39.44 $39.44
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.82 $0.82
$0.69 $0.69
$0.96 $0.96
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.1K $25.1K
$23.3K $23.3K
$36.3K $36.3K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.3K $25.3K
$24.3K $24.3K
$26.7K $26.7K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$172 $172
$118 $118
$248 $248
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$45.42 $45.42
$29.62 $29.62
$64.2 $64.2
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$58.3 $58.3
$49.96 $49.96
$98.5 $98.5
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$32.15 $32.15
$10.15 $10.15
$35.53 $35.53
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.74 $22.74
$20.21 $20.21
$25.27 $25.27
Cinema Ticket
$9.42 $9.42
$8.15 $8.15
$12.22 $12.22
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$304 $304
$304 $304
$3,545 $3,545
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.5K $14.5K
$9,155 $9,155
$19.8K $19.8K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.69 $42.69
$29.56 $29.56
$73.9 $73.9
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.12 $45.12
$30.08 $30.08
$65.2 $65.2
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$70.3 $70.3
$40.28 $40.28
$126 $126
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$65.5 $65.5
$39.69 $39.69
$149 $149
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$914 $914
$512 $512
$1,319 $1,319
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$807 $807
$515 $515
$1,224 $1,224
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,810 $1,810
$1,428 $1,428
$2,447 $2,447
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,260 $1,260
$863 $863
$1,828 $1,828
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$5,675 $5,675
$1,471 $1,471
$18.2K $18.2K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$5,128 $5,128
$1,468 $1,468
$16.1K $16.1K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,206 $3,206
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.51
5
6.8
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
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Cost of Living in Lansing, MI - Frequently Asked Questions
How affordable is Lansing for temporary stays and longer expatriate setups, compared with other U.S. cities?
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.
What should you know about daily life, housing searches, food, transport, and coworking when living here?
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.
How can you plan for quality of life, budgeting, and seasonality to find the best neighborhood fit?
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.
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