Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
Seattle, WA
🏆 Ann Arbor leads 15 of 23 categories
Ann Arbor
Michigan
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$78,546
Violent Crime Index
80 ✓ Safer
Population
122,216
Seattle
Washington
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$116,068 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
204⚠ High
Population
734,603 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Ann Arbor, MI
Pros
Homes cost $463k less ($416,500 vs $879,900)
61% less violent crime than Seattle
Rent averages $473/mo less ($1,472 vs $1,945)
15% cheaper overall cost of living than Seattle
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.5 pts lower (3.7%)
Cons
Median income trails Seattle by $37,522/yr
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Seattle, WA
Pros
Households earn $37,522 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 47°F vs 32°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 84°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $879,900
Violent crime (775.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,945/mo
Cost of living runs 15% higher than Ann Arbor
Key Differences at a Glance
Ann Arbor
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Ann Arbor
Violent Crime
61% lower
302.5 vs 775.1 per 100k
Ann Arbor
Median Home Value
$463k less
$416,500 vs $879,900
Ann Arbor
Unemployment
0.5 pp lower
3.7% vs 4.2% unemployment
Ann Arbor
Summer Heat
7.5°F warmer
July avg high 84.0°F vs 76.5°F
Seattle
Median Income
$37,522
$116,068 vs $78,546/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Seattle, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $416,500⚠ High ✓ Lower | $879,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,945⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 | $116,068 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 4.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 27.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% | 27.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 80 ✓ Safer | 218⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 204⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 ✓ Safer | 238⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | A- (112) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 66.7% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 95.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | Seattle School District No. 1 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 47.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F ✓ Warmer | 76.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" ✓ Drier | 38.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 3.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 | 734,603 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 35.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% ✓ Higher | 44.5% |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 14.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 12.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Seattle's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Ann Arbor is 15% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Ann Arbor leads 15 of 23 categories. Ann Arbor wins 15 and Seattle 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 Seattle or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $879,900 median home), income ($78,546 vs $116,068), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and Seattle, WA are about 1,904 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.