on $100k a year, leaving Sacramento

change
Lansing, MI cityscape

next stop after sacramento

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

$1,388

lighter monthly cost than Sacramento

Lansing is the kind of cheap that changes the math. Same salary, a different life on the other side.
landable, recorded on the lansing entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,259/mo

43% cheaper than Sacramento(vs $2,226/mo)

02state income tax

4.25%

$421/mo less in state tax than Sacramento

vs 9.3% in Sacramento

03after rent

$6,720/mo

$1,388 more than Sacramento

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

04a house here

$244k

59% cheaper than Sacramento

vs $589k in Sacramento

05metro size

473k

vs 2.4M in Sacramento

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

153

pleasant days a year, in lansing.

Sacramento gets 211 pleasant days a year, so you'd be trading some sunshine. Winter asks for something in return: 52 days under 20° here, 0 in Sacramento.

Noticeably quieter than Sacramento. About 79% fewer events on a typical month.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

57/100

24% lower than Sacramento

vs 75/100 in Sacramento

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

·walk score®

80/100

18% lower than Sacramento

vs 98/100 in Sacramento

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

6

79% fewer than Sacramento

vs 28 nonstops in Sacramento

04 · see also

if lansing appeals, also worth a look:

compare lansing with: