Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
Glendale, 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
Population
122,216
Glendale
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$81,219 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
76 ✓ Safer
Population
194,512 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Ann Arbor, MI
Pros
Homes cost $576k less ($416,500 vs $992,000)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.4 pts lower (3.7%)
Rent averages $530/mo less ($1,472 vs $2,002)
More college-educated — 77.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
18% cheaper overall cost of living than Glendale
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Cons
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Median income trails Glendale by $2,673/yr
Glendale, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 69°F vs 32°F
Households earn $2,673 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $992,000
Higher rents — median is $2,002/mo
Cost of living runs 18% higher than Ann Arbor
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Ann Arbor
Cost of Living
18% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Ann Arbor
Median Home Value
$576k less
$416,500 vs $992,000
Ann Arbor
Unemployment
4.4 pp lower
3.7% vs 8.1% unemployment
Glendale
Median Income
$2,673
$81,219 vs $78,546/yr
Glendale
Violent Crime
5% lower
287.2 vs 302.5 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Glendale, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $416,500⚠ High ✓ Lower | $992,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,002⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 | $81,219 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 8.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 27.6 min |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 16.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 80 ✓ Safer | 84 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 | 76 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 ✓ Safer | 97 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | B (99) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 23.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 43.8% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 88.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | Glendale Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 69.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 85.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" | 16.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 | 194,512 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 41.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% ✓ Higher | 34.2% |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 18.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 18.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Glendale's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Ann Arbor is 18% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Ann Arbor leads 13 of 23 categories. Ann Arbor wins 13 and Glendale 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 Glendale or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $992,000 median home), income ($78,546 vs $81,219), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and Glendale, CA are about 1,940 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.