Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
Thornton, CO
🏆 Ann Arbor leads 13 of 23 categories
Ann Arbor
Michigan
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$78,546
Violent Crime Index
80
Population
122,216
Thornton
Colorado
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$95,064 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
72 ✓ Safer
Population
141,799 ✓ Larger
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 11 min shorter each way
Rent averages $286/mo less ($1,472 vs $1,758)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (3.7%)
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Thornton
Homes cost $29k less ($416,500 vs $445,200)
Cons
Median income trails Thornton by $16,518/yr
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Thornton, CO
Pros
10% less violent crime than Ann Arbor
Households earn $16,518 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 32°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,758/mo
Property crime (2835.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (4.6% vs 3.7%)
Longer commutes — 30.9 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Ann Arbor
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Ann Arbor
Median Home Value
$29k less
$416,500 vs $445,200
Ann Arbor
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
3.7% vs 4.6% unemployment
Thornton
Median Income
$16,518
$95,064 vs $78,546/yr
Thornton
Violent Crime
10% lower
273.6 vs 302.5 per 100k
Thornton
Summer Heat
7.1°F warmer
July avg high 91.1°F vs 84.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Thornton, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper | 105.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $416,500⚠ High ✓ Lower | $445,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,758⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 | $95,064 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 4.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 30.9 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 12.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 80 ✓ Safer | 97 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 | 72 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 ✓ Safer | 135⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | B- (93) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 30.7% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 87.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | Adams 12 Five Star Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 48.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 91.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" | 16.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 44.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 | 141,799 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 33.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% | 72.7% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 26.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% ✓ More | 10.1% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Thornton's 105.5 (US average = 100).
Ann Arbor is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Ann Arbor leads 13 of 23 categories. Ann Arbor wins 13 and Thornton 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 Thornton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $445,200 median home), income ($78,546 vs $95,064), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and Thornton, CO are about 1,113 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.