Ann Arbor MI vs Arvada CO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026

Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)

Ann Arbor, MI

Michigan · Population: N/A

  • Median HH IncomeN/A
  • Median Home Price$531,674
  • UnemploymentN/A
  • Bachelor's+N/A

Arvada, CO

Colorado · Population: 122,835

  • Median HH Income$113,396
  • Median Home Price$617,536
  • Unemployment3.9%
  • Bachelor's+50.0%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Ann Arbor
N/A
Arvada
122,835
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Arvada
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Arvada
40.2
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Arvada
5.2%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Arvada
82.8%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Arvada
1.0%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Arvada
2.6%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Arvada
15.4%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Arvada
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Arvada
$113,396
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Arvada
$56,655
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Arvada
$76,653
Arvada +
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Arvada
3.9%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Arvada
6.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Arvada
50.0%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Ann Arbor +
Arvada
$617,536
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Arvada
74.9%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Ann Arbor +
Arvada
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Ann Arbor +
Arvada
3234

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
25.8%
Arvada
23.4%
Arvada +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Ann Arbor +
Arvada
8.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Arvada
15.1%
Arvada +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
Arvada
8.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Ann Arbor +
Arvada
19.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Ann Arbor +
Arvada
10.3%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Arvada
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Arvada
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Arvada
75.0%
Arvada +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Arvada
28.6 min

Which City is Right for You?

Ann Arbor offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $531,674. On public safety, Ann Arbor is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Arvada. Arvada has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arvada scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.

Compare More Cities

About Ann Arbor & Arvada