1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in East Lansing, MI
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in East Lansing, Michigan as of August 2026. That's +21% lower than the citywide median of $1,298 and +27% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in East Lansing
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in East Lansing
Compare East Lansing's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Michigan
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adrian | $770 |
| 2 | Flint | $785 |
| 3 | Mount Pleasant | $820 |
| 4 | Muskegon | $820 |
| 5 | Saginaw | $820 |
| 6 | Grand Ledge | $880 |
| 7 | Lansing | $887 |
| 8 | Monroe | $900 |
| 9 | Midland | $905 |
| 10 | Dewitt | $910 |
| 11 | Grand Blanc | $920 |
| 12 | Mount Clemens | $920 |
| 13 | Port Huron | $920 |
| 14 | Wayne | $920 |
| 15 | Wyandotte | $920 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Michigan
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Birmingham | $1,640 |
| 2 | Ann Arbor | $1,513 |
| 3 | West Bloomfield | $1,490 |
| 4 | Bloomfield Hills | $1,490 |
| 5 | Commerce Township | $1,460 |
| 6 | Northville | $1,440 |
| 7 | Troy | $1,415 |
| 8 | Novi | $1,415 |
| 9 | Canton | $1,380 |
| 10 | Rochester Hills | $1,370 |
| 11 | Grosse Pointe Park | $1,370 |
| 12 | New Hudson | $1,360 |
| 13 | Allendale | $1,350 |
| 14 | Farmington Hills | $1,340 |
| 15 | Oak Park | $1,310 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than East Lansing.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs East Lansing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lansing, MI | 8 mi | $887 | $-133 (-13%) |
| Holt, MI | 10.5 mi | $980 | $-40 (-4%) |
| Dewitt, MI | 11.4 mi | $910 | $-110 (-11%) |
| Grand Ledge, MI | 21.5 mi | $880 | $-140 (-14%) |
| Jackson, MI | 39.2 mi | $935 | $-85 (-8%) |
| Howell, MI | 39.2 mi | $1,250 | +$230 (+23%) |
| Fenton, MI | 49.4 mi | $1,180 | +$160 (+16%) |
| Brighton, MI | 50 mi | $1,150 | +$130 (+13%) |
| Flint, MI | 52.4 mi | $785 | $-235 (-23%) |
| Saginaw, MI | 56.3 mi | $820 | $-200 (-20%) |
| Battle Creek, MI | 58.2 mi | $927 | $-93 (-9%) |
| Grand Blanc, MI | 58.3 mi | $920 | $-100 (-10%) |
1-Bedroom rent in East Lansing — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in East Lansing?
As of August 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in East Lansing, Michigan is $1,020 per month. This is +21% below the citywide median of $1,298.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in East Lansing?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $40,800 ($3,400/month gross), which works out to roughly $19.62/hour at a full-time job.
Is East Lansing expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
East Lansing's 1-bedroom median of $1,020 is +27% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 22th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does East Lansing rank for 1-bedroom rent in Michigan?
Among the 93 cities in Michigan with 1-bedroom data, East Lansing ranks #32 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near East Lansing?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Lansing ($887), Holt ($980), Dewitt ($910).