Ann Arbor MI vs Boston MA — 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
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boston
663,972
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boston
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boston
33.2
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boston
27.5%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boston
47.8%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boston
21.5%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boston
10.0%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boston
18.9%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boston
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 663,972 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 33.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 27.5% | - |
| White | N/A | 47.8% | - |
| Black | N/A | 21.5% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 10.0% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 18.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boston
$94,755
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boston
$60,001
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boston
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boston
16.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boston
54.1%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $94,755 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $60,001 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $85,405 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.0% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 16.9% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 54.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Ann Arbor +
Boston
$793,154
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boston
35.4%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,674 | $793,154 | Ann Arbor + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 35.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Boston
326
Boston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Boston
1086
Boston +
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 326 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1086 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
25.8%
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Ann Arbor +
Boston
8.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Boston
18.0%
Boston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
Boston
6.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Ann Arbor +
Boston
20.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Ann Arbor +
Boston
10.7%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.8% | 23.4% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 8.6% | Ann Arbor + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.0% | Boston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.0% | 6.3% | Ann Arbor + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 20.7% | Ann Arbor + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 10.7% | Ann Arbor + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Ann Arbor +
Boston
51.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boston
43.8 in
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.4°F | 51.5°F | Ann Arbor + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 43.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Boston
75.0%
Boston +
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Boston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boston
33.1 min
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 33.1 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Ann Arbor offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $531,674. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Ann Arbor. Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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