01 · the cities
Lansing
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.
full dispatch→South Bend
South Bend is Notre Dame, the Golden Dome, and the Touchdown Jesus mural visible from the football stadium. The St. Joseph River runs through downtown, and the East Bank district has the food and bar scene. The University of Notre Dame campus is genuinely beautiful (the basilica, the lakes, the grottos). Smaller than its national reputation suggests, with a steady college-town pulse.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$1,259/mo
$1,391/mo
$132/mo more than Lansing (9%)
Median home price
Median home price
$244k
$230k
$13k less than Lansing
State income tax
State income tax
4.3%
3.0%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$6,720/mo
$6,692/mo
Gross left after rent reflects state income tax but not federal, based on $100k salary. Enter your salary to find your ideal city.
03 · the weather
Pleasant days/yr
Pleasant days/yr
153 days
157 days
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
0 days
0 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
52 days
40 days
days below 20°F per year
Lansing drops below 20°F on 12 more days per year than South Bend.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
57 / 100
53 / 100
4.0 pts behind Lansing
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
6 routes
9 routes
3 more direct routes than Lansing
Metro size
Metro size
473k metro
324k metro
Lansing and South Bend have similar event volume.
the verdict
3
Lansing
categories won
4
South Bend
categories won
South Bend leads on weather and wins overall.
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