Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
Wichita Falls, TX
🏆 Wichita Falls leads 12 of 23 categories
Ann Arbor
Michigan
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$78,546 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
80 ✓ Safer
Population
122,216 ✓ Larger
Wichita Falls
Texas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
88.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$55,584
Violent Crime Index
92
Population
102,482
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
Households earn $22,962 more per year on average
14% less violent crime than Wichita Falls
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.7 pts lower (3.7%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 97°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $416,500
Higher rents — median is $1,472/mo
Cost of living runs 9% higher than Wichita Falls
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Wichita Falls, TX
Pros
Homes cost $288k less ($128,800 vs $416,500)
Rent averages $523/mo less ($949 vs $1,472)
Milder winters — January highs near 55°F vs 32°F
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Ann Arbor
Living costs sit below the national average (index 88.9)
Cons
Median income trails Ann Arbor by $22,962/yr
Property crime (2618.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (4.4% vs 3.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Ann Arbor
Median Income
$22,962
$78,546 vs $55,584/yr
Ann Arbor
Violent Crime
14% lower
302.5 vs 350.3 per 100k
Ann Arbor
Unemployment
0.7 pp lower
3.7% vs 4.4% unemployment
Wichita Falls
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 88.9 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Wichita Falls
Median Home Value
$288k less
$128,800 vs $416,500
Wichita Falls
Summer Heat
13.2°F warmer
July avg high 97.2°F vs 84.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Wichita Falls, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 | 88.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $416,500⚠ High | $128,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High | $949 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 ✓ Higher | $55,584 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 4.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min | 14.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 6.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 80 ✓ Safer | 105⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 92 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 ✓ Safer | 125⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 24.2% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 86.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | WICHITA FALLS ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 54.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 97.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" | 27.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 3.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 ✓ Larger | 102,482 |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 32.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% | 56.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 22.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 14.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Wichita Falls's 88.9 (US average = 100).
Wichita Falls is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Wichita Falls leads 12 of 23 categories. Ann Arbor wins 11 and Wichita Falls 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 Wichita Falls or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $128,800 median home), income ($78,546 vs $55,584), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and Wichita Falls, TX are about 988 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.