Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
Louisville/Jefferson County metro government, KY
🏆 Ann Arbor leads 12 of 23 categories
Ann Arbor
Michigan
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$78,546 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
80 ✓ Safer
Population
122,216
Louisville/Jefferson County metro government
Kentucky
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
94.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$63,114
Violent Crime Index
186⚠ High
Population
629,176 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Ann Arbor, MI
Pros
57% less violent crime than Louisville/Jefferson County metro government
More college-educated — 77.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $15,432 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.6 pts lower (3.7%)
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
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 4% higher than Louisville/Jefferson County metro government
Louisville/Jefferson County metro government, KY
Pros
Homes cost $212k less ($204,800 vs $416,500)
Rent averages $458/mo less ($1,014 vs $1,472)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 94.0)
Milder winters — January highs near 42°F vs 32°F
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Ann Arbor
Cons
Violent crime (707.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Ann Arbor by $15,432/yr
Property crime (3326.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.3% vs 3.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Ann Arbor
Median Income
$15,432
$78,546 vs $63,114/yr
Ann Arbor
Violent Crime
57% lower
302.5 vs 707.4 per 100k
Ann Arbor
Unemployment
1.6 pp lower
3.7% vs 5.3% unemployment
Louisville/Jefferson County metro government
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 94.0 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Louisville/Jefferson County metro government
Median Home Value
$212k less
$204,800 vs $416,500
Louisville/Jefferson County metro government
Summer Heat
3.3°F warmer
July avg high 87.3°F vs 84.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Louisville/Jefferson County metro government, KY |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 | 94.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $416,500⚠ High | $204,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High | $1,014 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 ✓ Higher | $63,114 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 5.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 22.6 min |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 10.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 80 ✓ Safer | 175⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 186⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 ✓ Safer | 158⚠ High |
| 🎓 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 | 15.2:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 32.9% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 90.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | Jefferson County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 42.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 87.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" ✓ Drier | 53.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 15.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 | 629,176 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 37.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% | 60.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 22.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 15.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Louisville/Jefferson County metro government's 94.0 (US average = 100).
Louisville/Jefferson County metro government is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Ann Arbor leads 12 of 23 categories. Ann Arbor wins 12 and Louisville/Jefferson County metro government 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 Louisville/Jefferson County metro government or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $204,800 median home), income ($78,546 vs $63,114), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and Louisville/Jefferson County metro government, KY are about 301 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.
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