Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
Rancho Cucamonga, 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
Rancho Cucamonga
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$105,534 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
77 ✓ Safer
Population
174,696 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Ann Arbor, MI
Pros
Homes cost $241k less ($416,500 vs $657,400)
Rent averages $712/mo less ($1,472 vs $2,184)
More college-educated — 77.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 13 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (3.7%)
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Rancho Cucamonga
Cons
Median income trails Rancho Cucamonga by $26,988/yr
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Pros
Households earn $26,988 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 32°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $657,400
Higher rents — median is $2,184/mo
Higher unemployment (5.4% vs 3.7%)
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Ann Arbor
Key Differences at a Glance
Ann Arbor
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 107.9 (100 = US avg)
Ann Arbor
Median Home Value
$241k less
$416,500 vs $657,400
Ann Arbor
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
3.7% vs 5.4% unemployment
Rancho Cucamonga
Median Income
$26,988
$105,534 vs $78,546/yr
Rancho Cucamonga
Summer Heat
9.8°F warmer
July avg high 93.8°F vs 84.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Rancho Cucamonga, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper | 107.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $416,500⚠ High ✓ Lower | $657,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,184⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 | $105,534 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 5.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 33.0 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 10.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 80 ✓ Safer | 81 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 | 77 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 ✓ Safer | 86 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | C+ (83) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 25.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 37.0% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 91.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | Alta Loma Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 67.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 93.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" | 17.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 | 174,696 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 37.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% | 63.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 22.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 13.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Rancho Cucamonga's 107.9 (US average = 100).
Ann Arbor is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Ann Arbor leads 12 of 23 categories. Ann Arbor wins 12 and Rancho Cucamonga 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 Rancho Cucamonga or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $657,400 median home), income ($78,546 vs $105,534), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and Rancho Cucamonga, CA are about 1,907 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.