Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
Reno, NV
🏆 Ann Arbor leads 13 of 23 categories
Ann Arbor
Michigan
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$78,546 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
80 ✓ Safer
Population
122,216
Reno
Nevada
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,073
Violent Crime Index
139⚠ High
Population
265,196 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Ann Arbor, MI
Pros
43% less violent crime than Reno
More college-educated — 77.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.3 pts lower (3.7%)
Homes cost $46k less ($416,500 vs $462,100)
Households earn $5,473 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 93°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,472/mo
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Reno, NV
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 46°F vs 32°F
Rent averages $112/mo less ($1,360 vs $1,472)
Cons
Violent crime (529.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (5.0% vs 3.7%)
Pricier housing — median home is $462,100
Median income trails Ann Arbor by $5,473/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Ann Arbor
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 102.8 (100 = US avg)
Ann Arbor
Median Income
$5,473
$78,546 vs $73,073/yr
Ann Arbor
Violent Crime
43% lower
302.5 vs 529.6 per 100k
Ann Arbor
Median Home Value
$46k less
$416,500 vs $462,100
Ann Arbor
Unemployment
1.3 pp lower
3.7% vs 5.0% unemployment
Reno
Summer Heat
8.7°F warmer
July avg high 92.7°F vs 84.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Reno, NV |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper | 102.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $416,500⚠ High ✓ Lower | $462,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High | $1,360⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 ✓ Higher | $73,073 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 5.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 20.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 9.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 80 ✓ Safer | 130⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 ✓ Safer | 116⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | B- (95) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 35.3% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 89.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | Washoe County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 45.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 92.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" | 9.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 33.3" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 | 265,196 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 36.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% | 48.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 19.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 15.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Reno's 102.8 (US average = 100).
Ann Arbor is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Ann Arbor leads 13 of 23 categories. Ann Arbor wins 13 and Reno wins 10. 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 Reno or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $462,100 median home), income ($78,546 vs $73,073), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and Reno, NV are about 1,881 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.