Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
Spokane, WA
🏆 Spokane leads 12 of 23 categories
Ann Arbor
Michigan
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$78,546 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
80 ✓ Safer
Population
122,216
Spokane
Washington
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,316
Violent Crime Index
178⚠ High
Population
227,922 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Ann Arbor, MI
Pros
55% less violent crime than Spokane
More college-educated — 77.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.5 pts lower (3.7%)
Households earn $15,230 more per year on average
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Spokane
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $416,500
Higher rents — median is $1,472/mo
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Spokane, WA
Pros
Homes cost $130k less ($286,900 vs $416,500)
Rent averages $412/mo less ($1,060 vs $1,472)
Milder winters — January highs near 38°F vs 32°F
Cons
Violent crime (674.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Ann Arbor by $15,230/yr
Property crime (4840.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.2% vs 3.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Ann Arbor
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 101.0 (100 = US avg)
Ann Arbor
Median Income
$15,230
$78,546 vs $63,316/yr
Ann Arbor
Violent Crime
55% lower
302.5 vs 674.9 per 100k
Ann Arbor
Unemployment
2.5 pp lower
3.7% vs 6.2% unemployment
Spokane
Median Home Value
$130k less
$286,900 vs $416,500
Spokane
Summer Heat
3.1°F warmer
July avg high 87.1°F vs 84.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Spokane, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper | 101.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $416,500⚠ High | $286,900 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High | $1,060 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 ✓ Higher | $63,316 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 6.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 20.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 12.0% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 80 ✓ Safer | 199⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 178⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 ✓ Safer | 231⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | B (101) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 32.7% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 93.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | Spokane School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 37.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 87.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" | 17.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 45.4" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 | 227,922 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 37.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% | 57.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 20.3% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 16.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Spokane's 101.0 (US average = 100).
Ann Arbor is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Spokane leads 12 of 23 categories. Ann Arbor wins 11 and Spokane 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 Spokane or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $286,900 median home), income ($78,546 vs $63,316), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and Spokane, WA are about 1,675 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.