CostIndexUSA

Lansing, MI vs Monroe, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MI
Lansing
95
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
More AffordableLA
Monroe
83.6
overall index
$1,100/mo rent

Monroe is moderately cheaper than Lansing — 12.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lansing, you would need $70,400 in Monroe. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing−48.7%
Lansing
83.5
Monroe
42.8
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Lansing
93.7
Monroe
93.7
🚗 Transportation−3.8%
Lansing
104.5
Monroe
100.5
🏥 Healthcare−3.9%
Lansing
94.6
Monroe
90.9
⚡ Utilities−24.4%
Lansing
95.5
Monroe
72.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Lansing to see what you'd need to earn in Monroe to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
→
Equivalent salary in Monroe, LA
$70,400
$9,600 less needed in Monroe

Formula: salary × (83.6 ÷ 95) = salary × 0.8800. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Lansing, MI

Median Home Price
$234,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Housing Index
83.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.0×

Monroe, LA

Median Home Price
$157,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,100
Housing Index
42.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.9×

Lansing has 48.7% lower housing costs compared to Monroe.

Income & Job Market

Lansing, MI

Median Household Income
$70,000
Per Capita Income
$39,900
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
Population
112,644
Top Industries
GovernmentAutomotiveHealthcareEducationFinance

Monroe, LA

Median Household Income
$50,300
Per Capita Income
$28,700
Unemployment Rate
7.3%
Population
47,252
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingGovernmentRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Lansing, MI
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Monroe, LA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Lansing vs other cities

Lansing, MI
vs
Ann Arbor, MI
Index: 95Index: 100.9
Lansing, MI
vs
Detroit, MI
Index: 95Index: 100.3
Lansing, MI
vs
Flint, MI
Index: 95Index: 93
Lansing, MI
vs
Peoria, IL
Index: 95Index: 91.2
Lansing, MI
vs
Pueblo, CO
Index: 95Index: 91.8

Monroe vs other cities

Monroe, LA
vs
Baton Rouge, LA
Index: 83.6Index: 90.8
Monroe, LA
vs
Lafayette, LA
Index: 83.6Index: 87.2
Monroe, LA
vs
Lake Charles, LA
Index: 83.6Index: 85.9
Monroe, LA
vs
Charleston, WV
Index: 83.6Index: 88.7
Monroe, LA
vs
San Luis Obispo, CA
Index: 83.6Index: 108.6

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.