City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

East Lansing, MI

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for East Lansing - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

45,394
Residents
$43,547
Median income
$251,600
Median home
$1,268
Median rent (state)

East Lansing - the verdict

Nationally, East Lansing sits in the 11th percentile for household income and the 48th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

11th
percentile, household income
56th
percentile, home value
42nd
percentile, median rent
48th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: East Lansing, MI

East Lansing is a small city in Michigan, home to 45,394 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in East Lansing brings in $43,547 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 7.5%. Home values in East Lansing run a median of $251,600, and the median resident age is 21.3 years. About 67.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 51.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 0 residential units authorized here in 2024 (No Permits), down 100% from five years earlier. East Lansing reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 1440.4 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts East Lansing's yearly average temperature at 49.2°F with 34.3 inches of precipitation per year and 36.0 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Michigan run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Michigan at 96.2 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,268 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $238 across Michigan, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Workers in East Lansing report an average commute of 13.6 minutes, with 47.4% driving alone and 18.9% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 87.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

45,394 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$43,547 /yr

Poverty 7.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does East Lansing compare to other US cities?

Here's how East Lansing stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 11% higher than other cities
Home value 56% pricier than other cities
Median rent 42% pricier than other cities
Safety 48% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Michigan, East Lansing ranks #148 of 254 Michigan cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares East Lansing against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Michigan only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Michigan-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher is East Lansing's strongest outlier among Michigan cities

Among the 727 Michigan cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, East Lansing ranks #27 - the 96th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares East Lansing only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#613 of 718
15th percentile in Michigan
Median Gross Rent
#217 of 727
66th percentile in Michigan
Median Home Value
#126 of 721
83rd percentile in Michigan
Poverty Rate
#382 of 727
47th percentile in Michigan
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#27 of 727
96th percentile in Michigan

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Michigan only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

11thIncome percentile
48thSafety percentile

11th percentile nationally for median household income · 48th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

East Lansing's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

East Lansing's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 37 Avg. percentile National median
East Lansing's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How East Lansing's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$251,600 44th percentile more affordable than 44% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. East Lansing $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - East Lansing, MI East Lansing, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not East Lansing, MI-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution East Lansing, MI median $43,547/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
East Lansing, MI's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for East Lansing, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 67.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 51.4%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
45,394
Median Income
$43,547
Median Home Value
$251,600
Median Age
21.3
Poverty Rate
7.5%
Labor force participation
51.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
67.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1440.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
219.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1220.5
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
34.3"
Annual Snowfall
36.0"

Schools

Total Schools
13
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
30,000 residents35,000 residents40,000 residents45,000 residents50,000 residents55,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 48,030 residents 49,355 residents ▲ +2.8%
East Lansing's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 6
2020 6
2021 26
2022 2
2023 2
2024 0

Permit volume decreased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
13.6 minutes
Drive Alone
47.4%
Carpool
4.8%
Public Transit
5.9%
Walk
18.3%
Work from Home
18.9%
Other
4.7%

Based on 21,026 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Michigan - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$105
avg/month
Natural Gas
$85
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$48
avg/month
Total Utilities
$238
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Michigan state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Michigan state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county East Lansing sits in

Cost of Living Index
96.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,268/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
87.2 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Michigan

Saginaw
43,879 people
Roseville
47,240 people
Midland
42,461 people
Portage
49,015 people
Lincoln Park
39,511 people
Battle Creek
52,392 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to East Lansing's 45,394 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

West Seneca, NY
45,329 people
Blacksburg, VA
45,288 people
Brentwood, TN
45,272 people
Elmhurst, IL
45,538 people
Sayreville, NJ
45,237 people
Ashburn, VA
45,551 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to East Lansing's $43,547 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Delphi, IN
$43,548 median income
Stollings, WV
$43,548 median income
Ardmore, AL
$43,542 median income
Hartford, AR
$43,542 median income
Woodville, FL
$43,542 median income
Spencerville, IN
$43,542 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - East Lansing, MI Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition East Lansing, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 73.8% 7.9% 9.3% 7.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.3% White 73.8% Black or African American 7.9% Asian 9.3% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.1% Two or more races 7.8% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How East Lansing compares to nearby Michigan cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
East Lansing (this city) 45,394 $43,547
Saginaw 43,879 $37,298
Roseville 47,240 $61,222
Midland 42,461 $74,906
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about East Lansing, MI?

What is the population of East Lansing, MI? +

East Lansing, MI counts 45,394 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in East Lansing, MI? +

In East Lansing, the typical household earns $43,547 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in East Lansing? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for East Lansing; the closest available measure is the Michigan state average, a cost of living index of 96.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Michigan vary by metro area.

Is East Lansing, MI safe? +

East Lansing has a total crime rate of 1440.4 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in East Lansing, MI? +

East Lansing's median home value sits at $251,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in East Lansing? +

East Lansing has an average annual temperature of 49.2°F, 34.3 inches of precipitation, and 36.0 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.