Ann Arbor, Michigan
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Ann Arbor.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Ann Arbor?
Ann Arbor, MI has a MapsToIt housing cost index of 129 (above the U.S. housing-cost baseline; 100 = U.S. avg). Median home value is about $435,100 and median rent about $1,552, against national ACS medians of $303,400 and $1,348. Median household income is roughly $81,089. Typical commute is 19 minutes; summer highs average 81°F. Violent-offense rates run about 251.4 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 129U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $435,100U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,552U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $81,089U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 4.2%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 19 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 251.4per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 81°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Ann Arbor compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 122,925City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $81,089Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg ($78,538)U.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 129ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year29% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $435,100City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year43% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,552City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year15% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 4.2%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 19 min24% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 5216% above U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 251.4annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)57% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 1728.3annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)44% below U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 81°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals6.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 18°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals16.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 29.8 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals10% below U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 231As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals14% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Ann Arbor grew 7.7% from 114,173 in 2010 to 122,925 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Ann Arbor expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Ann Arbor's housing cost index is 129 versus 100 nationally — above the U.S. housing-cost baseline. That gap is driven mainly by ACS median home values ($435,100 vs $303,400) and rents ($1,552 vs $1,348).
- Housing cost index 129 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $435,100 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,552 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Ann Arbor?
Typical ownership costs center near $435,100, while median gross rent is about $1,552 a month. Against a median household income of $81,089, rent alone is roughly 23% of income on an annualized basis.
- Median home value $435,100
- Median rent $1,552/month
- Median household income $81,089
What is the job market like in Ann Arbor?
County unemployment recently ran 4.2% versus a U.S. rate of 4.2%. Median household income in Ann Arbor is about $81,089 (U.S. $78,538).
- Unemployment 4.2% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $81,089
How long is the typical commute in Ann Arbor?
Average one-way commute time is about 19 minutes, with Walk Score near 52/100. The catalog-city average commute is 25 minutes.
- 19 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 52/100
Is Ann Arbor safer than similar U.S. cities?
Published violent-offense rates are about 251.4 per 100k and property about 1728.3 per 100k, versus catalog averages of 586.6 and 3087.9. Citywide rates hide large neighborhood differences.
- Violent 251.4 per 100k
- Property 1728.3 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Ann Arbor?
Normals show summer highs near 81°F, winter lows near 18°F, about 29.8 inches of rain, and roughly 231 sunny days a year.
- Summer high 81°F
- Winter low 18°F
- 29.8 in rain · 231 sunny days
Ann Arbor (pop. 122,925) sits in Michigan. Median household income is roughly $81,089, while the ACS housing-cost index sits near 129 — above the national housing-cost baseline (100 ≈ U.S. average). Ownership is a high bar — typical values near $435,100 push many newcomers toward renting first.
Ann Arbor is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Ann Arbor with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Lake-effect snow and automotive supply chains still color the local economy. Winter lows around 18°F mean heating costs and snow logistics belong on the checklist. Plan on roughly 19 minutes each way for a typical commute; Walk Score is about 52. Unemployment recently ran near 4.2%, broadly in line with many large U.S. counties. Violent-offense rates around 251.4 per 100k are moderate for a large U.S. city, with meaningful variation by neighborhood.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Ann Arbor city, 1600000US2603000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Washtenaw County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00094889 ANN ARBOR MUNI AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10