Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
Cary, NC
🏆 Cary leads 14 of 22 categories
Ann Arbor
Michigan
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$78,546
Violent Crime Index
80
Population
122,216
Cary
North Carolina
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$125,317 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
19 ✓ Safer
Population
174,880 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Ann Arbor, MI
Pros
Homes cost $61k less ($416,500 vs $477,400)
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 77.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 89°F
Cons
Median income trails Cary by $46,771/yr
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Cary, NC
Pros
77% less violent crime than Ann Arbor
Households earn $46,771 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (71.0 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 51°F vs 32°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $477,400
Key Differences at a Glance
Ann Arbor
Median Home Value
$61k less
$416,500 vs $477,400
Both cities
Cost of Living
≈ Equal
Both near 98.0 on the COL index
Cary
Median Income
$46,771
$125,317 vs $78,546/yr
Cary
Violent Crime
77% lower
71.0 vs 302.5 per 100k
Cary
Summer Heat
5.0°F warmer
July avg high 89.0°F vs 84.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Cary, NC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 | 98.0 |
| Median Home Value | $416,500⚠ High ✓ Lower | $477,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,538⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 | $125,317 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 3.4% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 22.8 min |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% | 28.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 80 | 36 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 | 19 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 | 63 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | A (118) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 70.3% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 96.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | Wake County Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 50.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 89.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" ✓ Drier | 50.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 4.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 | 174,880 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 39.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% | 66.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 24.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 13.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Cary's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Both have a similar overall cost of living.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Cary leads 14 of 22 categories. Ann Arbor wins 8 and Cary wins 14. 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 Cary or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $477,400 median home), income ($78,546 vs $125,317), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and Cary, NC are about 520 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.