Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
Green Bay, WI
🏆 Green Bay leads 12 of 23 categories
Ann Arbor
Michigan
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$78,546 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
80 ✓ Safer
Population
122,216 ✓ Larger
Green Bay
Wisconsin
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,174
Violent Crime Index
130⚠ High
Population
106,846
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 Green Bay
Households earn $19,372 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 32°F vs 25°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $416,500
Higher rents — median is $1,472/mo
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Cost of living runs 6% higher than Green Bay
Green Bay, WI
Pros
Homes cost $244k less ($172,700 vs $416,500)
Rent averages $608/mo less ($864 vs $1,472)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.1)
6% cheaper overall cost of living than Ann Arbor
Smaller class sizes — 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (495.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Ann Arbor by $19,372/yr
Snowy winters — about 56" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Ann Arbor
Median Income
$19,372
$78,546 vs $59,174/yr
Ann Arbor
Violent Crime
39% lower
302.5 vs 495.1 per 100k
Ann Arbor
Summer Heat
4.2°F warmer
July avg high 84.0°F vs 79.8°F
Green Bay
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 92.1 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Green Bay
Median Home Value
$244k less
$172,700 vs $416,500
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Green Bay, WI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 | 92.1 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $416,500⚠ High | $172,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High | $864 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 ✓ Higher | $59,174 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 4.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min | 18.0 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 7.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 80 ✓ Safer | 103⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 130⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 | 62 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | B (101) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 12.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 25.1% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 88.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | Green Bay Area Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F ✓ Warmer | 24.5°F |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F ✓ Warmer | 79.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" | 32.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 55.6" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 ✓ Larger | 106,846 |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 35.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% | 56.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 24.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 13.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Green Bay's 92.1 (US average = 100).
Green Bay is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Green Bay leads 12 of 23 categories. Ann Arbor wins 11 and Green Bay wins 12. 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 Green Bay or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $172,700 median home), income ($78,546 vs $59,174), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and Green Bay, WI are about 264 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.