Rent to own Homes in East Lansing, MI
History and politics intersect. Originally the junction of two Native American trails (the Okemah Road and the Park Lake Trail), the vibrant city of East Lansing (home to Michigan State University) is next to the state capital in Lansing. With a population of 48,579 in the 2010 census, a steady increase from the 2000 census numbers, the growing community in East Lansing has fueled the need for more apartments and homes for rent.
East Lansing, MI is a great place for affordable rent-to-own homes! With a median household income of over $40,800 and a median rent of $969, the East Lansing, MI rent-to-own market is more affordable than the traditional housing market which has shown tremendous growth across the U.S. and with it, aggressive competition for home purchases. With the current housing shortage trend it can make it harder to become a homeowner, including in East Lansing, MI. This means higher than average down payments for homes and higher qualification standards for conventional home loans. With a rent-to-own property, tenants are also buyers. You can live in the house for a set amount of time before you purchase it, meaning that you get to know the house, your neighbors, and your community before making the final purchase. This enables you and your family to make the right choice based on both information and experience. Rent-to-own is also a great alternative way to get into a home if you have bad credit or don't have enough saved for a down payment.
More East Lansing, MI Property Resources
Rent to own Homes in Cities Near East Lansing, MI
- Bath
- Charlotte
- Dansville
- DeWitt
- Dimondale
- Eagle
- East Lansing
- Eaton Rapids
- Edgemont Park
- Fowler
- Grand Ledge
- Haslett
- Holt
- Laingsburg
- Lake Victoria
- Lansing
- Leslie
- Mason
- Mulliken
- Okemos
- Onondaga
- Ovid
- Perry
- Portland
- Potterville
- Rives Junction
- Shaftsburg
- Springport
- St. Johns
- Wacousta
- Waverly
- Westphalia
- Williamston
Neighborhoods in East Lansing, MI
Abbott Parkside rent to own homes Bailey rent to own homes Walnut Heights rent to own homes Southeast Marble rent to own homes Downtown East Lansing rent to own homes Chesterfield Hills rent to own homes Pinecrest rent to own homes Oakwood rent to own homes Whitehills rent to own homes Glencairn rent to own homesPopular Zip Codes in East Lansing, MI
48826 rent to own homes 48825 rent to own homes 48824 rent to own homesBuying a Home in East Lansing, MI
East Lansing, MI is seeing rapid growth and East Lansing, MI's' housing market remains optimal with an average home price that is -11% below the 2025 national average. East Lansing, MI is part of Ingham county and taxes are an important factor to consider when purchasing a home whether through rent to own or a traditional purchase. The average tax rate as of 2025 for county Ingham is 1.97% which is above the national average, which is 0.99%.
Median Home Price in East Lansing, MI
Median Rent in East Lansing, MI
Top 10 Reasons to Live in East Lansing
A safe place to grow. Named as one of the top 50 safest cities in Michigan by Safewise.com, East Lansing has apartments, houses, rental homes and rent to own houses in its 13 square miles. The median home value in East Lansing is $155,900, and the city has many neighborhood associations covering areas such as Bailey, Pinecrest and Walnut Heights.
Transportation hub. I-96, I-496 and US-127 pass through the city, making it easy for residents to access the entire Great Lakes region. Amtrak serves East Lansing at the East Lansing Station on South Harrison Road. Indian Trails, Greyhound and Megabus also make local stops. East Lansing is approximately 1.5 hours from Detroit and four hours from Chicago.
Tops for culture. Michigan State University hosts many cultural events year round. The Wharton Center for Performing Arts at MSU is home to the Lansing Symphony Orchestra, and MSU's Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, which was designed by Zaha Hadid, attracts visitors from near and far. Public art sculptures also dot the city.
A walkable downtown. East Lansing's downtown is the heart of the city, with many cafes, restaurants and boutiques. As of 2011, the citywide commercial vacancy rate was 5%. There are many rent to own homes within walking distance of downtown. You can browse the Curious Book Shop, which sells used and rare books on East Grand River Avenue, or feed your sweet tooth at Insomnia Cookies.
Delicious
eats. East Lansing has restaurants ranging from casual to upscale. Sip a fresh-squeezed juice with your sandwich at Saffron Grill or try the pizza at Cottage Inn, a Michigan classic.
Parks, recreation and nature. East Lansing is home to over 20 parks, the Northern Tail Dog Park and the 4.5-mile-long Northern Tier Trail. The W. J. Beal Botanical Garden, established in 1873, is the oldest continuously operated university botanical garden of its kind in the United States.
Festival appeal. Each year, East Lansing hosts the East Lansing Art Festival, East Lansing Summer Solstice Jazz Festival, Moonlight Film Festival and Great Lakes Folk Festival. In the winter, there's the Winter Bowl Soup & Chili Cook-Off.
Opportunities to own and rent. Approximately one-third of East Lansing's housing stock is owner occupied. The remaining two-thirds are renter occupied. You could split the difference by choosing to rent to own.
Great housing value. East Lansing home values have risen 5.7% over the past year and are expected to continue increasing. Now's a great time to look for property in East Lansing so you can take advantage of all that this city on the Red Cedar River has to offer and join the crowds rooting for MSU at Spartan Stadium.
