Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
Newark, NJ
🏆 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
Newark
New Jersey
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$46,460
Violent Crime Index
153⚠ High
Population
307,355 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Ann Arbor, MI
Pros
Households earn $32,086 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 7.0 pts lower (3.7%)
More college-educated — 77.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
48% less violent crime than Newark
Commutes run 13 min shorter each way
15% cheaper overall cost of living than Newark
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $416,500
Higher rents — median is $1,472/mo
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Newark, NJ
Pros
Homes cost $104k less ($312,300 vs $416,500)
Rent averages $199/mo less ($1,273 vs $1,472)
Milder winters — January highs near 39°F vs 32°F
Cons
Median income trails Ann Arbor by $32,086/yr
Violent crime (581.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 15% higher than Ann Arbor
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Ann Arbor
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Ann Arbor
Median Income
$32,086
$78,546 vs $46,460/yr
Ann Arbor
Violent Crime
48% lower
302.5 vs 581.2 per 100k
Ann Arbor
Unemployment
7.0 pp lower
3.7% vs 10.7% unemployment
Newark
Median Home Value
$104k less
$312,300 vs $416,500
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Newark, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $416,500⚠ High | $312,300⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High | $1,273 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 ✓ Higher | $46,460 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 10.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 33.0 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 4.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 80 ✓ Safer | 129⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 153⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 ✓ Safer | 93 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | C+ (85) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 17.0% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 77.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | Newark Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 39.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 86.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" ✓ Drier | 50.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 28.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 | 307,355 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 34.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% ✓ Higher | 23.9% |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 24.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% ✓ More | 10.9% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Newark's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Ann Arbor is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Ann Arbor leads 15 of 23 categories. Ann Arbor wins 15 and Newark 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 Newark or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $312,300 median home), income ($78,546 vs $46,460), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and Newark, NJ are about 506 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.