$100k salary, packing up from Austin
changea dispatch from
lansing
MI
42.73°N
84.55°W
Lansing is the Michigan state capital, Michigan State (East Lansing is essentially a continuation), and old auto industry roots that have softened into a quieter mid-sized city. The Grand River curves through downtown. The Capitol building is one of the prettier state capitols you'll see. Cheap, friendly, and a quick drive to Lake Michigan beaches.
in our guides
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Most affordable places to live in America
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Cheapest cities in America
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Best cities to live in the Midwest
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Best cities to leave Nashville for
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Affordable alternatives to Nashville
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Best cities in the Great Lakes region
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Best cities to retire early
read the guidethe verdict
the monthly premium over Austin
A small premium for Lansing. Worth it only if the rest of the city earns it back.
a quick ledger.
$1,259/mo
20% cheaper than Austin(vs $1,583/mo)
4.25%
$354/mo more in state tax than Austin
vs 0% in Austin
$6,720/mo
$30 less than Austin
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$244k
44% cheaper than Austin
vs $433k in Austin
473k
vs 2.5M in Austin
field notes, weather & such.
153
pleasant days a year, in lansing.
Austin has the edge here, logging 170 pleasant days a year. The trade is winter: 52 days below 20°, vs 1 in Austin.
85% fewer events than Austin. The pace eases up.
57/100
2% higher than Austin
vs 56/100 in Austin
Closest outdoor draw: Sleepy Hollow State Park, 14.5 mi.
80/100
19% lower than Austin
vs 99/100 in Austin
6
86% fewer than Austin
vs 42 nonstops in Austin
neighbors of lansing on the map of tradeoffs:
compare lansing with:
