Median rent is 15% lower in Ann Arbor ($1,649/mo vs $1,933/mo). Buying is cheaper in Ann Arbor, where the median home runs $453,400 versus $921,200. Households earn more in Ann Arbor ($82,212 vs $81,939 a year). Taken together, Ann Arbor is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 98.2 against 114.7 — about 14% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Ann Arbor, MI.
Cost of living verdict
Ann Arbor is 14% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 98.2 in Ann Arbor vs 114.7 in Los Angeles (US national average = 100)
City A
Ann Arbor, MI
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Ann Arbor, MI?
Equivalent salary in Los Angeles, CA
$87,684
You'd need $12,684 more (17% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Ann Arbor
Michigan
Los Angeles
California
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Ann Arbor at $1,649/mo compared to $1,933/mo in Los Angeles (15% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $921,200 versus $453,400 in Ann Arbor — 51% more expensive.
Metric
Ann Arbor
Los Angeles
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Ann Arbor
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Los Angeles
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Los Angeles (avg AQI 31.0) but not yet for Ann Arbor.
Pick Ann Arbor if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 98.2 vs 114.7).
Pick Ann Arbor if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,649/mo median).
Ann Arbor is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.2 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 14% lower in Ann Arbor.
Median rent is $1,649/mo in Ann Arbor, MI and $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Ann Arbor, MI has the lower rent by about 15%.
Median household income is $82,212 in Ann Arbor, MI and $81,939 in Los Angeles, CA. Ann Arbor, MI has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Ann Arbor, MI is equivalent to roughly $116,912 in Los Angeles, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
