CostIndexUSA

Lansing, MI vs Memphis, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MI
Lansing
95
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
More AffordableTN
Memphis
92.2
overall index
$1,425/mo rent

Memphis is slightly cheaper than Lansing — 2.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lansing, you would need $77,600 in Memphis. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing4.4%
Lansing
83.5
Memphis
79.8
🛒 Groceries+2.7%
Lansing
93.7
Memphis
96.2
🚗 Transportation4.2%
Lansing
104.5
Memphis
100.1
🏥 Healthcare4.2%
Lansing
94.6
Memphis
90.6
Utilities22.4%
Lansing
95.5
Memphis
74.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Memphis, TN
$77,600
$2,400 less needed in Memphis

Formula: salary × (92.2 ÷ 95) = salary × 0.9705. 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×

Memphis, TN

Median Home Price
$238,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,425
Housing Index
79.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.9×

Lansing has 4.4% lower housing costs compared to Memphis.

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

Memphis, TN

Median Household Income
$64,000
Per Capita Income
$36,500
Unemployment Rate
5.7%
Population
633,104
Top Industries
LogisticsHealthcareManufacturingTourismGovernment

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)

Memphis, TN
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.