Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
Worcester, MA
🏆 Ann Arbor leads 12 of 21 categories
Ann Arbor
Michigan
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$78,546 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
80
Population
122,216
Worcester
Massachusetts
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,011
Violent Crime Index
4 ✓ Safer
Population
204,191 ✓ 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
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.9 pts lower (3.7%)
Households earn $15,535 more per year on average
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
6% cheaper overall cost of living than Worcester
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $416,500
Higher rents — median is $1,472/mo
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Worcester, MA
Pros
95% less violent crime than Ann Arbor
Homes cost $111k less ($305,600 vs $416,500)
Violent crime is well below the national average (16.5 vs 380/100k)
Rent averages $160/mo less ($1,312 vs $1,472)
Smaller class sizes — 13.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Ann Arbor by $15,535/yr
Higher unemployment (6.6% vs 3.7%)
Snowy winters — about 73" of snow per year
Cost of living runs 6% higher than Ann Arbor
Key Differences at a Glance
Ann Arbor
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 103.8 (100 = US avg)
Ann Arbor
Median Income
$15,535
$78,546 vs $63,011/yr
Ann Arbor
Unemployment
2.9 pp lower
3.7% vs 6.6% unemployment
Ann Arbor
Summer Heat
4.2°F warmer
July avg high 84.0°F vs 79.8°F
Worcester
Violent Crime
95% lower
16.5 vs 302.5 per 100k
Worcester
Median Home Value
$111k less
$305,600 vs $416,500
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Worcester, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper | 103.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $416,500⚠ High | $305,600⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High | $1,312 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 ✓ Higher | $63,011 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 24.4 min |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 9.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 80 | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 | 4 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | B+ (106) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 33.1% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 85.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | Worcester |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 32.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F ✓ Warmer | 79.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" ✓ Drier | 48.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" ✓ Less | 72.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 | 204,191 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 34.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% ✓ Higher | 42.1% |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 19.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 13.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Worcester's 103.8 (US average = 100).
Ann Arbor is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Ann Arbor leads 12 of 21 categories. Ann Arbor wins 12 and Worcester wins 9. 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 Worcester or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $305,600 median home), income ($78,546 vs $63,011), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and Worcester, MA are about 609 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.