Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
Irvine, CA
🏆 Ann Arbor leads 12 of 23 categories
Ann Arbor
Michigan
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$78,546
Violent Crime Index
80
Population
122,216
Irvine
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$122,948 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
22 ✓ Safer
Population
304,527 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Ann Arbor, MI
Pros
Homes cost $609k less ($416,500 vs $1,025,700)
Rent averages $1277/mo less ($1,472 vs $2,749)
18% cheaper overall cost of living than Irvine
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.8 pts lower (3.7%)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 77.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails Irvine by $44,402/yr
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Irvine, CA
Pros
72% less violent crime than Ann Arbor
Households earn $44,402 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (84.0 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 32°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,025,700
Higher rents — median is $2,749/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
$609k less
$416,500 vs $1,025,700
Ann Arbor
Unemployment
1.8 pp lower
3.7% vs 5.5% unemployment
Irvine
Median Income
$44,402
$122,948 vs $78,546/yr
Irvine
Violent Crime
72% lower
84.0 vs 302.5 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Irvine, 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 | $1,025,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,749⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 | $122,948 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 5.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 24.3 min |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 23.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 80 | 40 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 | 22 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 | 66 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | B+ (107) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 26.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 70.0% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 96.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | Irvine Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 67.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 85.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" | 14.1" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 | 304,527 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 33.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% ✓ Higher | 43.9% |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 21.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% ✓ More | 10.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Irvine's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Ann Arbor is 18% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Ann Arbor leads 12 of 23 categories. Ann Arbor wins 12 and Irvine wins 11. 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 Irvine or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $1,025,700 median home), income ($78,546 vs $122,948), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and Irvine, CA are about 1,932 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.