Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
Fairfield, CA
🏆 Ann Arbor leads 13 of 23 categories
Ann Arbor
Michigan
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$78,546
Violent Crime Index
80 ✓ Safer
Population
122,216 ✓ Larger
Fairfield
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
109.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$98,857 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
131⚠ High
Population
119,420
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Ann Arbor, MI
Pros
More college-educated — 77.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
39% less violent crime than Fairfield
Rent averages $575/mo less ($1,472 vs $2,047)
Homes cost $130k less ($416,500 vs $546,200)
Commutes run 13 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.8 pts lower (3.7%)
Cons
Median income trails Fairfield by $20,311/yr
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Fairfield, CA
Pros
Households earn $20,311 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 32°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $2,047/mo
Violent crime (498.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $546,200
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Ann Arbor
Key Differences at a Glance
Ann Arbor
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 109.2 (100 = US avg)
Ann Arbor
Violent Crime
39% lower
302.5 vs 498.0 per 100k
Ann Arbor
Median Home Value
$130k less
$416,500 vs $546,200
Ann Arbor
Unemployment
1.8 pp lower
3.7% vs 5.5% unemployment
Fairfield
Median Income
$20,311
$98,857 vs $78,546/yr
Fairfield
Summer Heat
5.6°F warmer
July avg high 89.6°F vs 84.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Fairfield, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper | 109.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $416,500⚠ High ✓ Lower | $546,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,047⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 | $98,857 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 5.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 32.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 9.8% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 80 ✓ Safer | 111⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 131⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 | 80 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | C+ (85) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 24.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 27.8% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 87.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | Fairfield-Suisun Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 56.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 89.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" | 24.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 ✓ Larger | 119,420 |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 35.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% | 60.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 24.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 13.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Fairfield's 109.2 (US average = 100).
Ann Arbor is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Ann Arbor leads 13 of 23 categories. Ann Arbor wins 13 and Fairfield 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 Fairfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $546,200 median home), income ($78,546 vs $98,857), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and Fairfield, CA are about 2,021 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.