Median rent is 19% lower in East Lansing ($1,122/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in East Lansing, where the median home runs $251,600 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Chicago ($75,134 vs $43,547 a year).
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
East Lansing, MI
How much would you need to earn in East Lansing, MI to maintain your standard of living from Chicago, IL?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Chicago
Illinois
East Lansing
Michigan
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in East Lansing at $1,122/mo compared to $1,380/mo in Chicago (19% gap). Median home values are within 20% of each other: $315,200 in Chicago and $251,600 in East Lansing.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% versus 4.25% in Michigan, so East Lansing is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 6.00% in Michigan; East Lansing has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
East Lansing
Income tax: 4.25%
Sales tax: 6.00%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for East Lansing.
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,134/yr).
Pick East Lansing if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,122/mo median).
Pick East Lansing if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.25%).
Is Chicago cheaper than East Lansing?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Chicago vs East Lansing?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,122/mo in East Lansing, MI. East Lansing, MI has the lower rent by about 19%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or East Lansing?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $43,547 in East Lansing, MI. Chicago, IL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Chicago or East Lansing?
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% and Michigan's is 4.25%. East Lansing, MI has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in East Lansing to match my Chicago income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology