CostIndexUSA

Lansing, MI vs Sacramento, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMI
Lansing
95
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
CA
Sacramento
106.7
overall index
$2,200/mo rent

Lansing is moderately cheaper than Sacramento — 12.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lansing, you would need $89,900 in Sacramento. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+55.9%
Lansing
83.5
Sacramento
130.2
🛒 Groceries+12.3%
Lansing
93.7
Sacramento
105.2
🚗 Transportation+0.8%
Lansing
104.5
Sacramento
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+0.7%
Lansing
94.6
Sacramento
95.3
Utilities+58.4%
Lansing
95.5
Sacramento
151.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Sacramento, CA
$89,900
$9,900 more needed in Sacramento

Formula: salary × (106.7 ÷ 95) = salary × 1.1232. 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×

Sacramento, CA

Median Home Price
$566,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,200
Housing Index
130.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Sacramento has 55.9% 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

Sacramento, CA

Median Household Income
$95,000
Per Capita Income
$54,100
Unemployment Rate
5.8%
Population
524,943
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareTechnologyEducationAgriculture

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)

Sacramento, CA
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% 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.