Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
Suffolk, VA
🏆 Suffolk leads 13 of 23 categories
Ann Arbor
Michigan
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$78,546
Violent Crime Index
80 ✓ Safer
Population
122,216 ✓ Larger
Suffolk
Virginia
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$87,758 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
98
Population
94,856
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
18% less violent crime than Suffolk
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.6 pts lower (3.7%)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $416,500
Median income trails Suffolk by $9,212/yr
Higher rents — median is $1,472/mo
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Suffolk, VA
Pros
Homes cost $102k less ($314,400 vs $416,500)
Households earn $9,212 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 49°F vs 32°F
Rent averages $96/mo less ($1,376 vs $1,472)
Cons
Higher unemployment (6.3% vs 3.7%)
Longer commutes — 29.6 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Ann Arbor
Violent Crime
18% lower
302.5 vs 371.0 per 100k
Ann Arbor
Unemployment
2.6 pp lower
3.7% vs 6.3% unemployment
Suffolk
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 97.4 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Suffolk
Median Income
$9,212
$87,758 vs $78,546/yr
Suffolk
Median Home Value
$102k less
$314,400 vs $416,500
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Suffolk, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 | 97.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $416,500⚠ High | $314,400⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High | $1,376⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 | $87,758 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 6.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 29.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 7.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 80 ✓ Safer | 89 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 98 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 | 75 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | B (99) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 32.1% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 91.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | Suffolk City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 49.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 86.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" ✓ Drier | 51.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 5.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 ✓ Larger | 94,856 |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 38.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% | 70.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 23.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 14.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Suffolk's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Suffolk is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Suffolk leads 13 of 23 categories. Ann Arbor wins 10 and Suffolk wins 13. 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 Suffolk or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $314,400 median home), income ($78,546 vs $87,758), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and Suffolk, VA are about 540 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.