East Lansing 84 Exceptional
East Lansing Livability #31 ranked city in Michigan#599 ranked city in the USARanks better than 97% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in East Lansing

PROS
  • Commute

    A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.

  • Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.

  • Health & Safety

    Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.

  • Schools

    The schools category boasts a high score thanks to factors like excellent test scores, impressive graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.

CONS
  • Nothing Found

    There are no cons identified for this area, as none of the categories received a poor score.

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What's it like Living in East Lansing?

East Lansing, Michigan is a mid-sized city with a population of 48,437 inhabitants. With a population density of 3,606 people per square mile, East Lansing is well above the nation's average density level. If we look at the most recent Census, East Lansing is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. If you are a young adult or student, you might be pleased to know that the average age of all East Lansing residents is 21. East Lansing is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 21% married, this city falls well below the national average. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, East Lansing is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 16 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Are you trying to ascertain if living in East Lansing is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a positive experience before relocating to any new city in Michigan, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like commute, health & safety, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in East Lansing and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare East Lansing to Michigan and the national average.

The livability score in East Lansing is 83/100 and the city is ranked in the 97th percentile of all cities across America. This is a great score, as East Lansing ranks well in multiple categories! East Lansing is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. Based on the scores for each individual category, East Lansing has received high marks for amenities (B-), crime (B-), cost of living (A) and education (A+). There is at least one category that does not have great scores in East Lansing. The following was graded with a concerning score: employment (D-).

East Lansing real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in East Lansing. The median home price for East Lansing homes is $194,100, which is 51.9% higher than the Michigan average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in East Lansing, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.8, which is 92% higher than the Michigan average.

Best Places to Live in and Around East Lansing

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How Do You Rate The Livability In East Lansing?

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Compare East Lansing, MI Livability

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      East Lansing transportation information

      Statistic East Lansing Michigan National
      Average one way commute16min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work53.0%82.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool4.6%8.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit7.6%1.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle7.1%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk17.6%2.2%2.8%
      Working from home9.3%3.7%4.6%
      Source: The East Lansing, MI data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).