Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
Longmont, CO
🏆 Ann Arbor leads 14 of 23 categories
Ann Arbor
Michigan
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$78,546
Violent Crime Index
80 ✓ Safer
Population
122,216 ✓ Larger
Longmont
Colorado
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.4⚠ High
Median Household Income
$89,720 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
124⚠ High
Population
98,282
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Ann Arbor, MI
Pros
36% less violent crime than Longmont
More college-educated — 77.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Homes cost $72k less ($416,500 vs $488,100)
Rent averages $217/mo less ($1,472 vs $1,689)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 91°F
Cons
Median income trails Longmont by $11,174/yr
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Longmont, CO
Pros
Households earn $11,174 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 45°F vs 32°F
Cons
Violent crime (469.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $488,100
Higher rents — median is $1,689/mo
Property crime (2618.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Ann Arbor
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 103.4 (100 = US avg)
Ann Arbor
Violent Crime
36% lower
302.5 vs 469.3 per 100k
Ann Arbor
Median Home Value
$72k less
$416,500 vs $488,100
Longmont
Median Income
$11,174
$89,720 vs $78,546/yr
Longmont
Summer Heat
6.8°F warmer
July avg high 90.8°F vs 84.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Longmont, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper | 103.4⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $416,500⚠ High ✓ Lower | $488,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,689⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 | $89,720 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 4.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 25.4 min |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 17.2% |
| 🔒 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 | 124⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 ✓ Safer | 125⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | B+ (109) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.2:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 46.0% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 92.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | St. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 44.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 90.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" | 16.1" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 47.4" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 ✓ Larger | 98,282 |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 39.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% | 63.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 20.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 17.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Longmont's 103.4 (US average = 100).
Ann Arbor is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Ann Arbor leads 14 of 23 categories. Ann Arbor wins 14 and Longmont wins 9. 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 Longmont or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $488,100 median home), income ($78,546 vs $89,720), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and Longmont, CO are about 1,117 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.