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City Report · MI

East Lansing

Pop. 45,758·71st most expensive in Michigan·East Lansing rents have dropped 6.9%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$1,298/mo
Year-over-Year
-6.9%
Month-over-Month
+2.9%
vs US Median
-$664
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
East Lansing · $1,298
More affordable than 88% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
34% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,298/mo, rent takes about 34% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$52,000/yr
Local median income
$45,687/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using East Lansing's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$980
1 BR
$1,020
2 BR
$1,270
3 BR
$1,650
4 BR+
$1,680
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,270/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,298 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$15,576/yr
At $1,298/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (-6.9% YoY, +2.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

East Lansing, MI is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 66.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
45,758
Median income
$45,687
Median age
21.3
Renters
61.5%
Age distribution
67.4%
Under 189.2%
18–3467.4%
35–5410.4%
55–644%
65+9%
Gender
48%
52%
Male48%
Female52%
Race & ethnicity
72.9%
White72.9%
Black8%
Hispanic6.6%
Asian9.1%
Other3.4%
Education (25+)
12.5%
19.3%
66.6%
No HS diploma1.6%
HS diploma12.5%
Some college19.3%
Bachelor's+66.6%
Housing tenure
38.5%
61.5%
Owner38.5%
Renter61.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How East Lansing, MI has changed in 5 years

Income
$41,177 → $45,687
up 11.0%
Population
47,427 → 45,758
down 3.5%
Renter share
61.4% → 61.5%
+0.1 pts
Bachelor's+
68.3% → 66.6%
-1.7 pts

Median household income grew from $41,177 to $45,687 between 2021 and 2024, a 11.0% shift. Headcount in the area went from 47,427 to 45,758 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.5% change.

Community

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View East Lansing rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in East Lansing on your salary?

At $1,298/mo, how East Lansing rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

East Lansing rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in East Lansing. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in East Lansing

About renting in East Lansing, MI

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in East Lansing is $1,298/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $980/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,270/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,020/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,650/mo.

At 34% of local median household income ($45,687/yr), East Lansing ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 6.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is East Lansing an affordable city for renters?

East Lansing is considered moderate for renters. At $1,298/mo, rent takes approximately 34% of the local median household income ($45,687/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. East Lansing slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in East Lansing?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $52,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,298/mo in East Lansing. The local median household income is $45,687/yr, meaning the typical East Lansing household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in East Lansing?

Rent in East Lansing has decreased 6.9% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does East Lansing rent compare to other cities in Michigan?

East Lansing is one of the more affordable cities in Michigan for rent, ranking #71 out of 96 tracked cities at $1,298/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than East Lansing?

Lansing is nearby and more affordable at $1,231/mo, which is $67 less than East Lansing.

What percentage of East Lansing residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 61.5% of East Lansing households are renters, while 38.5% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, East Lansing has a strong rental market.

How does East Lansing rent compare to the national average?

East Lansing's median rent of $1,298/mo is $664 (34%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Michigan, it ranks #71 out of 96 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
34%
MODERATE

At $1,298/mo, rent takes ~34% of East Lansing's median household income ($45,687/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

East Lansing 34%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.25%
Run the East Lansing affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near East Lansing, MI

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