Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
Berkeley, CA
🏆 Ann Arbor leads 15 of 22 categories
Ann Arbor
Michigan
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$78,546
Violent Crime Index
80 ✓ Safer
Population
122,216 ✓ Larger
Berkeley
California
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$104,716 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
168⚠ High
Population
121,385
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Ann Arbor, MI
Pros
Homes cost $864k less ($416,500 vs $1,280,300)
53% less violent crime than Berkeley
Rent averages $595/mo less ($1,472 vs $2,067)
20% cheaper overall cost of living than Berkeley
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.8 pts lower (3.7%)
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
Cons
Median income trails Berkeley by $26,170/yr
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Berkeley, CA
Pros
Households earn $26,170 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 32°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 74°F vs 84°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,280,300
Higher rents — median is $2,067/mo
Violent crime (638.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 20% higher than Ann Arbor
Key Differences at a Glance
Ann Arbor
Cost of Living
20% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Ann Arbor
Violent Crime
53% lower
302.5 vs 638.8 per 100k
Ann Arbor
Median Home Value
$864k less
$416,500 vs $1,280,300
Ann Arbor
Unemployment
1.8 pp lower
3.7% vs 5.5% unemployment
Ann Arbor
Summer Heat
9.8°F warmer
July avg high 84.0°F vs 74.2°F
Berkeley
Median Income
$26,170
$104,716 vs $78,546/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Berkeley, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper | 118.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $416,500⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,280,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,067⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 | $104,716 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 5.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 30.4 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% | 28.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 80 ✓ Safer | 200⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 168⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 ✓ Safer | 249⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | A- (110) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 73.8% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 96.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | Berkeley Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 58.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F ✓ Warmer | 74.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" | 26.1" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 ✓ Larger | 121,385 |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 32.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% ✓ Higher | 43.3% |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 12.2% |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 15.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Berkeley's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Ann Arbor is 20% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Ann Arbor leads 15 of 22 categories. Ann Arbor wins 15 and Berkeley wins 7. 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 Berkeley or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $1,280,300 median home), income ($78,546 vs $104,716), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and Berkeley, CA are about 2,044 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.