CostIndexUSA

Lansing, MI vs St. Paul, MN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMI
Lansing
95
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
MN
St. Paul
104.8
overall index
$1,675/mo rent

Lansing is moderately cheaper than St. Paul — 10.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lansing, you would need $88,300 in St. Paul. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+33.9%
Lansing
83.5
St. Paul
111.8
🛒 Groceries+10.0%
Lansing
93.7
St. Paul
103.1
🚗 Transportation+4.9%
Lansing
104.5
St. Paul
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+4.9%
Lansing
94.6
St. Paul
99.2
Utilities2.1%
Lansing
95.5
St. Paul
93.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in St. Paul, MN
$88,300
$8,300 more needed in St. Paul

Formula: salary × (104.8 ÷ 95) = salary × 1.1032. 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×

St. Paul, MN

Median Home Price
$374,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,675
Housing Index
111.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.6×

St. Paul has 33.9% higher housing costs compared to Lansing.

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

St. Paul, MN

Median Household Income
$95,100
Per Capita Income
$54,200
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
311,527
Top Industries
HealthcareFinanceEducationGovernmentManufacturing

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)

St. Paul, MN
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

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.