Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
Washington, DC
🏆 Ann Arbor leads 12 of 22 categories
Ann Arbor
Michigan
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$78,546
Violent Crime Index
80 ✓ Safer
Population
122,216
Washington
District of Columbia
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$101,722 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
244⚠ High
Population
670,587 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Ann Arbor, MI
Pros
Homes cost $289k less ($416,500 vs $705,000)
67% less violent crime than Washington
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.4 pts lower (3.7%)
Rent averages $345/mo less ($1,472 vs $1,817)
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 77.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails Washington by $23,176/yr
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Washington, DC
Pros
Households earn $23,176 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 45°F vs 32°F
Smaller class sizes — 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $705,000
Violent crime (925.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,817/mo
Property crime (3588.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Ann Arbor
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 108.6 (100 = US avg)
Ann Arbor
Violent Crime
67% lower
302.5 vs 925.9 per 100k
Ann Arbor
Median Home Value
$289k less
$416,500 vs $705,000
Ann Arbor
Unemployment
3.4 pp lower
3.7% vs 7.1% unemployment
Washington
Median Income
$23,176
$101,722 vs $78,546/yr
Washington
Summer Heat
5.8°F warmer
July avg high 89.8°F vs 84.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper | 108.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $416,500⚠ High ✓ Lower | $705,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,817⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 | $101,722 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 7.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 30.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% | 25.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 80 ✓ Safer | 215⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 244⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) | A (119) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 10.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 62.6% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 92.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | District of Columbia Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 44.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 89.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" ✓ Drier | 45.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 9.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 | 670,587 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 34.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% ✓ Higher | 41.4% |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 18.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 12.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Washington's 108.6 (US average = 100).
Ann Arbor is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Ann Arbor leads 12 of 22 categories. Ann Arbor wins 12 and Washington 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 Washington or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $705,000 median home), income ($78,546 vs $101,722), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and Washington, DC are about 422 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.