Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
Yonkers, NY
🏆 Ann Arbor leads 13 of 23 categories
Ann Arbor
Michigan
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$78,546 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
80 ✓ Safer
Population
122,216
Yonkers
New York
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$78,208
Violent Crime Index
82
Population
209,780 ✓ 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%)
Commutes run 15 min shorter each way
15% cheaper overall cost of living than Yonkers
Rent averages $187/mo less ($1,472 vs $1,659)
Homes cost $40k less ($416,500 vs $456,500)
Cons
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Yonkers, NY
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 40°F vs 32°F
Cons
Cost of living runs 15% higher than Ann Arbor
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Higher rents — median is $1,659/mo
Higher unemployment (6.6% vs 3.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Ann Arbor
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Ann Arbor
Median Home Value
$40k less
$416,500 vs $456,500
Ann Arbor
Unemployment
2.9 pp lower
3.7% vs 6.6% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Yonkers, NY |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $416,500⚠ High ✓ Lower | $456,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,659⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 ✓ Higher | $78,208 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 34.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 9.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 80 | 69 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 82 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 | 48 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | B (99) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 35.5% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 83.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | YONKERS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 39.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 85.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" ✓ Drier | 51.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 32.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 | 209,780 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 39.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% | 48.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 20.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 16.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Yonkers's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Ann Arbor is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Ann Arbor leads 13 of 23 categories. Ann Arbor wins 13 and Yonkers 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 Yonkers or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $456,500 median home), income ($78,546 vs $78,208), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and Yonkers, NY are about 517 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.