Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
Gresham, OR
🏆 Ann Arbor leads 15 of 23 categories
Ann Arbor
Michigan
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$78,546 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
80 ✓ Safer
Population
122,216 ✓ Larger
Gresham
Oregon
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$69,437
Violent Crime Index
108⚠ High
Population
113,525
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
26% less violent crime than Gresham
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (3.7%)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Households earn $9,109 more per year on average
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Gresham
Cons
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Gresham, OR
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 47°F vs 32°F
Cons
Median income trails Ann Arbor by $9,109/yr
Higher unemployment (5.8% vs 3.7%)
Cost of living runs 9% higher than Ann Arbor
Key Differences at a Glance
Ann Arbor
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 106.6 (100 = US avg)
Ann Arbor
Median Income
$9,109
$78,546 vs $69,437/yr
Ann Arbor
Violent Crime
26% lower
302.5 vs 410.2 per 100k
Ann Arbor
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
3.7% vs 5.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Gresham, OR |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper | 106.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $416,500⚠ High | $411,700⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High | $1,452⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 ✓ Higher | $69,437 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 5.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 27.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 10.2% |
| 🔒 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 | 108⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 ✓ Safer | 116⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | C (81) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 23.2% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 87.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | Gresham-Barlow SD 10J |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 46.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F ✓ Warmer | 81.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" ✓ Drier | 40.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 3.4" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 ✓ Larger | 113,525 |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 37.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% | 55.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 22.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 14.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Gresham's 106.6 (US average = 100).
Ann Arbor is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Ann Arbor leads 15 of 23 categories. Ann Arbor wins 15 and Gresham wins 8. 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 Gresham or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $411,700 median home), income ($78,546 vs $69,437), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and Gresham, OR are about 1,922 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.