Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
San Tan Valley, AZ
🏆 San Tan Valley leads 12 of 23 categories
Ann Arbor
Michigan
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$78,546
Violent Crime Index
80
Population
122,216 ✓ Larger
San Tan Valley
Arizona
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.0
Median Household Income
$88,466 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
62 ✓ Safer
Population
101,207
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Ann Arbor, MI
Pros
More college-educated — 77.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 17 min shorter each way
Rent averages $257/mo less ($1,472 vs $1,729)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.8 pts lower (3.7%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 104°F
Smaller class sizes — 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $416,500
Median income trails San Tan Valley by $9,920/yr
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
San Tan Valley, AZ
Pros
Homes cost $113k less ($304,000 vs $416,500)
22% less violent crime than Ann Arbor
Violent crime is well below the national average (235.7 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 32°F
Households earn $9,920 more per year on average
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,729/mo
Higher unemployment (4.5% vs 3.7%)
Longer commutes — 36.2 min average each way
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Key Differences at a Glance
Ann Arbor
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 100.0 (100 = US avg)
Ann Arbor
Unemployment
0.8 pp lower
3.7% vs 4.5% unemployment
San Tan Valley
Median Income
$9,920
$88,466 vs $78,546/yr
San Tan Valley
Violent Crime
22% lower
235.7 vs 302.5 per 100k
San Tan Valley
Median Home Value
$113k less
$304,000 vs $416,500
San Tan Valley
Summer Heat
20.2°F warmer
July avg high 104.2°F vs 84.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | San Tan Valley, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper | 100.0 |
| Median Home Value | $416,500⚠ High | $304,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,729⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 | $88,466 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 4.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 36.2 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 13.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 80 | 56 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 | 62 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 | 46 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 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 | 19.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 22.0% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 92.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | J O Combs Unified School District (4445) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 65.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 104.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" | 8.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 ✓ Larger | 101,207 |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 34.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% | 80.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 28.3% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% ✓ More | 11.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs San Tan Valley's 100.0 (US average = 100).
Ann Arbor is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, San Tan Valley leads 12 of 23 categories. Ann Arbor wins 11 and San Tan Valley wins 12. 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 San Tan Valley or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $304,000 median home), income ($78,546 vs $88,466), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and San Tan Valley, AZ are about 1,636 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.