Ann Arbor MI vs Berkeley CA — 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
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Ann Arbor
N/A
Berkeley
120,223
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Berkeley
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Berkeley
32.9
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Berkeley
21.3%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Berkeley
54.8%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Berkeley
7.4%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Berkeley
20.7%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Berkeley
12.1%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Berkeley
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 120,223 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 32.9 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 21.3% | - |
| White | N/A | 54.8% | - |
| Black | N/A | 7.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 20.7% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 12.1% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Berkeley
$108,558
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Berkeley
$66,936
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Berkeley
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Berkeley
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Berkeley
75.0%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $108,558 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $66,936 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.0% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 75.0% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Ann Arbor +
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Berkeley
43.3%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,674 | $1,451,222 | Ann Arbor + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 43.3% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Ann Arbor +
Berkeley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Ann Arbor +
Berkeley
2388
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Ann Arbor + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Ann Arbor + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
25.8%
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Ann Arbor +
Berkeley
7.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
Berkeley
6.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.8% | 22.2% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 7.4% | Ann Arbor + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.1% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.0% | 6.1% | Ann Arbor + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 18.1% | Berkeley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 8.0% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Ann Arbor +
Berkeley
58.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Berkeley
26.7 in
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.4°F | 58.1°F | Ann Arbor + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 26.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Berkeley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Berkeley
32.2 min
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 32.2 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 503 in Berkeley. Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
Compare More Cities
Ann Arbor, MI vs New York, NYAnn Arbor, MI vs Los Angeles, CAAnn Arbor, MI vs Chicago, ILAnn Arbor, MI vs Houston, TXAnn Arbor, MI vs Phoenix, AZAnn Arbor, MI vs Philadelphia, PA