Ann Arbor MI vs Austin TX — 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
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Ann Arbor
N/A
Austin
967,862
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Austin
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Austin
34.5
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Austin
18.1%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Austin
59.9%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Austin
7.5%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Austin
8.6%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Austin
32.2%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Austin
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 967,862 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.5 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 18.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 59.9% | - |
| Black | N/A | 7.5% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 8.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 32.2% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Austin
$91,461
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Austin
$59,427
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Austin
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Austin
12.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Austin
58.2%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $91,461 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $59,427 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,758 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.5% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 58.2% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Austin
$511,264
Austin +
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Austin
44.4%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,674 | $511,264 | Austin + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 44.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Austin
442
Austin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Ann Arbor +
Austin
2339
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 442 | Austin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2339 | Ann Arbor + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
25.8%
Ann Arbor +
Austin
30.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Ann Arbor +
Austin
8.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
Austin
15.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Ann Arbor +
Austin
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Ann Arbor +
Austin
9.4%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.8% | 30.1% | Ann Arbor + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 8.1% | Ann Arbor + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.9% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.0% | 15.1% | Ann Arbor + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 20.0% | Ann Arbor + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 9.4% | Ann Arbor + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Ann Arbor +
Austin
67.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Austin
34.9 in
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.4°F | 67.2°F | Ann Arbor + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 34.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Austin +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Austin
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Austin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Austin
25.8 min
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 25.8 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $511,264. On public safety, Austin is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Ann Arbor. Austin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ann Arbor scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.8%.
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