Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
Tracy, CA
🏆 Ann Arbor leads 12 of 23 categories
Ann Arbor
Michigan
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$78,546
Violent Crime Index
80
Population
122,216 ✓ Larger
Tracy
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.4⚠ High
Median Household Income
$111,717 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
79 ✓ Safer
Population
94,027
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Ann Arbor, MI
Pros
Homes cost $201k less ($416,500 vs $617,300)
Rent averages $690/mo less ($1,472 vs $2,162)
More college-educated — 77.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 24 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (3.7%)
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Tracy
Cons
Median income trails Tracy by $33,171/yr
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Tracy, CA
Pros
Households earn $33,171 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 32°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $617,300
Higher rents — median is $2,162/mo
Higher unemployment (5.4% vs 3.7%)
Cost of living runs 9% higher than Ann Arbor
Key Differences at a Glance
Ann Arbor
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 107.4 (100 = US avg)
Ann Arbor
Median Home Value
$201k less
$416,500 vs $617,300
Ann Arbor
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
3.7% vs 5.4% unemployment
Tracy
Median Income
$33,171
$111,717 vs $78,546/yr
Tracy
Summer Heat
9.2°F warmer
July avg high 93.2°F vs 84.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Tracy, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper | 107.4⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $416,500⚠ High ✓ Lower | $617,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,162⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 | $111,717 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 5.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 43.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 11.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 80 | 78 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 | 79 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 | 76 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | C- (71) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 22.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 24.4% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 83.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | Jefferson Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 57.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 93.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" | 12.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 ✓ Larger | 94,027 |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 34.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% | 64.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 26.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% ✓ More | 9.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Tracy's 107.4 (US average = 100).
Ann Arbor is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Ann Arbor leads 12 of 23 categories. Ann Arbor wins 12 and Tracy wins 11. 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 Tracy or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $617,300 median home), income ($78,546 vs $111,717), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and Tracy, CA are about 2,004 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.