same $100k income, fresh start from Philadelphia

change
Lansing, MI cityscape

instead of philadelphia

Lansing

mi · metro 473k

a 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.

metro473k

01 · the verdict

the verdict

$824

cheaper each month than Philadelphia

Lansing runs on a fraction of Philadelphia's budget. Same paycheck, real lifestyle upgrade.
landable, recorded on the lansing entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,259/mo

33% cheaper than Philadelphia(vs $1,869/mo)

02state income tax

4.25%

$214/mo less in state tax than Philadelphia

vs 6.82% in Philadelphia

03after rent

$6,720/mo

$824 more than Philadelphia

gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.

04a house here

$244k

38% cheaper than Philadelphia

vs $393k in Philadelphia

05metro size

473k

vs 6.2M in Philadelphia

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

153

pleasant days a year, in lansing.

Philadelphia actually gets more: 173 pleasant days a year. Cold snaps are part of the year: 52 days below 20° here, 21 in Philadelphia.

Lighter on events: Philadelphia packs 10.3× more into a month.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

57/100

17% lower than Philadelphia

vs 69/100 in Philadelphia

Closest outdoor draw: Sleepy Hollow State Park, 14.5 mi.

·walk score®

80/100

20% lower than Philadelphia

vs 100/100 in Philadelphia

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

6

95% fewer than Philadelphia

vs 122 nonstops in Philadelphia

04 · see also

cities that play in lansing's register:

compare lansing with: