Ann Arbor MI vs Boulder 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
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boulder
106,274
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boulder
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boulder
28.8
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boulder
10.2%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boulder
81.8%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boulder
1.1%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boulder
5.8%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boulder
11.2%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boulder
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 106,274 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 28.8 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 10.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 81.8% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 5.8% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 11.2% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boulder
$85,364
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boulder
$59,450
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boulder
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boulder
21.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boulder
76.8%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $85,364 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $59,450 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $76,653 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.1% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 21.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 76.8% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Ann Arbor +
Boulder
$970,905
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boulder
47.9%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,674 | $970,905 | Ann Arbor + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 47.9% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Ann Arbor +
Boulder
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Ann Arbor +
Boulder
3234
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 512 | Ann Arbor + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3234 | Ann Arbor + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
25.8%
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Boulder
17.9%
Boulder +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
Boulder
8.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Ann Arbor +
Boulder
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.8% | 16.5% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 5.7% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.9% | Boulder + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.0% | 8.6% | Ann Arbor + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 19.8% | Ann Arbor + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 9.0% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Ann Arbor +
Boulder
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boulder
20.7 in
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.4°F | 51.6°F | Ann Arbor + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 20.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Boulder
75.0%
Boulder +
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Boulder + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Boulder
21.0 min
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 21.0 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 Boulder. Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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