Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Lansing, MI

    Is Lansing a good place to live?

    Watch Lansing

    Lansing ranks #26 of 50 Michigan cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (48/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population fell 0.4% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $119,400
    +6.4% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $976
    per month
    Household income
    $52,170
    median
    Unemployment
    8.1%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Lansing

    The median home value in Lansing is $119,400 and median rent is $976 a month, against a median household income of $52,170. Homes cost about 2.3× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Lansing crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Michigan the 2025 rate was 431 violent and 1,300 property crimes per 100,000 people — #28 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Lansing, MI

    Lansing has about 112,546 residents, 8.1% unemployment and 18% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Lansing with

    Lansing vs DetroitLansing vs Grand RapidsLansing vs WarrenLansing vs Sterling HeightsLansing vs Ann ArborLansing vs DearbornLansing vs LivoniaLansing vs Troy

    More: Where to move in Michigan · Best counties in Michigan

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report