Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
Fort Worth, TX
🏆 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
Fort Worth
Texas
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$72,726
Violent Crime Index
121⚠ High
Population
924,663 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Ann Arbor, MI
Pros
34% less violent crime than Fort Worth
More college-educated — 77.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.6 pts lower (3.7%)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 97°F
Households earn $5,820 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $416,500
Higher rents — median is $1,472/mo
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Fort Worth, TX
Pros
Homes cost $166k less ($250,300 vs $416,500)
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 32°F
Rent averages $159/mo less ($1,313 vs $1,472)
Cons
Violent crime (458.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2699.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.3% vs 3.7%)
Median income trails Ann Arbor by $5,820/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Ann Arbor
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Ann Arbor
Median Income
$5,820
$78,546 vs $72,726/yr
Ann Arbor
Violent Crime
34% lower
302.5 vs 458.4 per 100k
Ann Arbor
Unemployment
1.6 pp lower
3.7% vs 5.3% unemployment
Fort Worth
Median Home Value
$166k less
$250,300 vs $416,500
Fort Worth
Summer Heat
12.6°F warmer
July avg high 96.6°F vs 84.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Fort Worth, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper | 103.3⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $416,500⚠ High | $250,300 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High | $1,313 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 ✓ Higher | $72,726 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 5.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 27.0 min |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 10.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 80 ✓ Safer | 124⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 121⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 ✓ Safer | 129⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | B (98) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 14.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 31.2% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 84.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | FORT WORTH ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 58.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 96.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" | 35.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 2.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 | 924,663 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 33.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% | 56.7% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 26.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% ✓ More | 10.1% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Fort Worth's 103.3 (US average = 100).
Ann Arbor is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Ann Arbor leads 12 of 22 categories. Ann Arbor wins 12 and Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $250,300 median home), income ($78,546 vs $72,726), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and Fort Worth, TX are about 991 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.