Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
Atlanta, GA
🏆 Ann Arbor leads 12 of 22 categories
Ann Arbor
Michigan
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$78,546 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
80 ✓ Safer
Population
122,216
Atlanta
Georgia
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$77,655
Violent Crime Index
221⚠ High
Population
494,838 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Ann Arbor, MI
Pros
64% less violent crime than Atlanta
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (3.7%)
More college-educated — 77.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 90°F
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Atlanta
Cons
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Pricier housing — median home is $416,500
Atlanta, GA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 54°F vs 32°F
Homes cost $21k less ($395,600 vs $416,500)
Smaller class sizes — 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (840.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3748.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.8% vs 3.7%)
Cost of living runs 3% higher than Ann Arbor
Key Differences at a Glance
Ann Arbor
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 100.9 (100 = US avg)
Ann Arbor
Median Income
$891
$78,546 vs $77,655/yr
Ann Arbor
Violent Crime
64% lower
302.5 vs 840.6 per 100k
Ann Arbor
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
3.7% vs 5.8% unemployment
Atlanta
Median Home Value
$21k less
$395,600 vs $416,500
Atlanta
Summer Heat
6.0°F warmer
July avg high 90.0°F vs 84.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Atlanta, GA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper | 100.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $416,500⚠ High | $395,600⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,512⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 ✓ Higher | $77,655 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 5.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 27.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% | 23.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 80 ✓ Safer | 204⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 221⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 ✓ Safer | 178⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) | A (120) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 12.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 57.3% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 92.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | Atlanta Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 53.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 90.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" ✓ Drier | 51.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 0.5" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 | 494,838 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 33.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% | 45.7% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 17.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% ✓ More | 12.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Atlanta's 100.9 (US average = 100).
Ann Arbor is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Ann Arbor leads 12 of 22 categories. Ann Arbor wins 12 and Atlanta wins 10. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Ann Arbor to Atlanta or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $395,600 median home), income ($78,546 vs $77,655), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and Atlanta, GA are about 589 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.