CostIndexUSA

Anchorage, AK vs Lansing, MI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

AK
Anchorage
105.4
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
More AffordableMI
Lansing
95
overall index
$1,300/mo rent

Lansing is moderately cheaper than Anchorage — 9.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Anchorage, you would need $72,100 in Lansing. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing24.0%
Anchorage
109.9
Lansing
83.5
🛒 Groceries12.7%
Anchorage
107.3
Lansing
93.7
🚗 Transportation3.7%
Anchorage
108.5
Lansing
104.5
🏥 Healthcare3.7%
Anchorage
98.2
Lansing
94.6
Utilities14.6%
Anchorage
111.8
Lansing
95.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Lansing, MI
$72,100
$7,900 less needed in Lansing

Formula: salary × (95 ÷ 105.4) = salary × 0.9013. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Anchorage, AK

Median Home Price
$403,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
109.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.8×

Lansing, MI

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

Anchorage has 24.0% lower housing costs compared to Lansing.

Income & Job Market

Anchorage, AK

Median Household Income
$94,200
Per Capita Income
$53,700
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
291,538
Top Industries
GovernmentMilitaryTourismHealthcareEnergy

Lansing, MI

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

Affordability at a Glance

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

Anchorage, AK
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Lansing, MI
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.