Why Live in Old Town
Old Town in Lansing is a vibrant neighborhood filled with cultural energy and historic charm, noted for its mural-adorned brick buildings and colorful Victorian homes. Housing here includes fixer-uppers—some for as little as $50,000—and move-in-ready Victorians or American Foursquares ranging from $150,000 to $250,000. Many properties have been revitalized in recent decades, with a major push from the Old Town Commercial Association to reduce crime and vacancy rates while encouraging community events and building rehab.
Old Town is central to Lansing’s arts and festival scene, featuring events such as ScrapFest, Lansing Pride, Chalk of the Town, JazzFest, BluesFest, and the Dam Jam Music Festival. Shopping runs toward the creative, with art galleries, thrift stores, and the popular Preuss Pets. Dining is diverse, with standouts like Meat BBQ, Pablo’s Old Town, and The Creole Burger Bar. While nightlife is lively, the closest large grocery stores are Capital City Market and Frandor Shopping Center.
The Lansing River Trail winds through Old Town and highlights include the historic Brenke Fish Ladder and Burchard Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Old Town a good place to live?
Old Town is a good place to live. Old Town is considered somewhat walkable and very bikeable with some transit options. Old Town is a suburban neighborhood. Old Town has 11 parks for recreational activities. It is fairly sparse in population with 5.5 people per acre and a median age of 36. The average household income is $46,063 which is below the national average. College graduates make up 38.7% of residents. A majority of residents in Old Town are renters, with 79.7% of residents renting and 20.3% of residents owning their home. A
local real estate agent serving Old Town can help you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for you. Learn more on our
Old Town neighborhood guide.
Is Old Town, MI a safe neighborhood?
Old Town, MI is less safe than the average neighborhood in the United States. It received a crime score of 8 out of 10.
How much do you need to make to afford a house in Old Town?
The median home price in Old Town is $115,000. If you put a 20% down payment of $23,000 and had a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 6.36%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be $570 a month plus property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and utilities. Using the 28% rule, you would need to make at least $24K a year to afford the median home price in Old Town. Learn how much home you can afford with our
Home Affordability Calculator. The average household income in Old Town is $46K.
What are the best public schools in Old Town?
The best public schools that serve Old Town are:
- Eastern High School has a C+ Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 21:1 and an average review score of 3.4.
- J.W. Sexton High School has a C Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 21:1 and an average review score of 3.4.
- Willow School has a C- Niche grade and a student teacher ratio of 16:1.
What are the best private schools in Old Town?
The best private schools that serve Old Town are:
What are the most popular zip codes in Old Town, Lansing, MI?
What are the most popular neighborhoods near Old Town, Lansing, MI?
Home Trends in Old Town, MI
On average, homes in Old Town, Lansing sell after 7 days on the market compared to the national average of 58 days. The median sale price for homes in Old Town, Lansing over the last 12 months is $90,000, down 20% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Median Sale Price
$90,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$99,499
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$78
Number of Homes for Sale
3
Last 12 months Home Sales
9
Median List Price
$115,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-20%