Studio Apartment Rent in East Lansing, MI
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in East Lansing, Michigan as of August 2026. That's +24% lower than the citywide median of $1,298 and +24% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio 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 studio in Michigan
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flint | $680 |
| 2 | Adrian | $710 |
| 3 | Saginaw | $740 |
| 4 | Muskegon | $750 |
| 5 | Marquette | $760 |
| 6 | Battle Creek | $800 |
| 7 | Kalamazoo | $804 |
| 8 | Jackson | $805 |
| 9 | Monroe | $810 |
| 10 | Mount Pleasant | $810 |
| 11 | Grand Blanc | $830 |
| 12 | Mount Clemens | $830 |
| 13 | Port Huron | $830 |
| 14 | Wayne | $830 |
| 15 | Wyandotte | $830 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Michigan
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rochester | $2,193 |
| 2 | Ann Arbor | $1,493 |
| 3 | Birmingham | $1,490 |
| 4 | West Bloomfield | $1,355 |
| 5 | Bloomfield Hills | $1,350 |
| 6 | Commerce Township | $1,330 |
| 7 | Northville | $1,320 |
| 8 | Troy | $1,290 |
| 9 | Novi | $1,290 |
| 10 | Canton | $1,250 |
| 11 | Rochester Hills | $1,240 |
| 12 | New Hudson | $1,240 |
| 13 | Grosse Pointe Park | $1,240 |
| 14 | Farmington Hills | $1,220 |
| 15 | Oak Park | $1,190 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than East Lansing.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs East Lansing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lansing, MI | 8 mi | $852 | $-128 (-13%) |
| Holt, MI | 10.5 mi | $940 | $-40 (-4%) |
| Dewitt, MI | 11.4 mi | $870 | $-110 (-11%) |
| Grand Ledge, MI | 21.5 mi | $840 | $-140 (-14%) |
| Jackson, MI | 39.2 mi | $805 | $-175 (-18%) |
| Howell, MI | 39.2 mi | $990 | +$10 (+1%) |
| Fenton, MI | 49.4 mi | $980 | — |
| Brighton, MI | 50 mi | $920 | $-60 (-6%) |
| Flint, MI | 52.4 mi | $680 | $-300 (-31%) |
| Saginaw, MI | 56.3 mi | $740 | $-240 (-24%) |
| Battle Creek, MI | 58.2 mi | $800 | $-180 (-18%) |
| Grand Blanc, MI | 58.3 mi | $830 | $-150 (-15%) |
Studio rent in East Lansing — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in East Lansing?
As of August 2026, the median studio apartment rent in East Lansing, Michigan is $980 per month. This is +24% below the citywide median of $1,298.
What income do you need to afford a studio in East Lansing?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $39,200 ($3,267/month gross), which works out to roughly $18.85/hour at a full-time job.
Is East Lansing expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
East Lansing's studio median of $980 is +24% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 25th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does East Lansing rank for studio rent in Michigan?
Among the 91 cities in Michigan with studio data, East Lansing ranks #41 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near East Lansing?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Lansing ($852), Holt ($940), Dewitt ($870).