East Lansing, MI vs Ithaca, NY
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
East Lansing
72.8
#823 nationally
Ithaca leads in walk score (72 vs 54). East Lansing leads in cost of living index (100 vs 117). East Lansing leads in average commute (16.1 min vs 18.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | East Lansing, MI | Ithaca, NY |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,528 | 32,724 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $328,740 | $0 |
| Median Household Income | $44,094 | $45,468 |
| Average Commute | 16.1 min | 18.4 min |
| Walk Score | 54 | 72 |
| Crime Level | 6.0 | 5.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 117 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+29.7 | D+50.6 |
C-
72.8 Score
East Lansing, MI
Small Michigan city with local appeal
Median Home
$328,740
Population
48,528
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
54
Midwest
View East Lansing, MI →
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Score
Ithaca, NY
Small New York city with local appeal
Population
32,724
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
72
Median Income
$45,468
Northeast
View Ithaca, NY →