Ann Arbor MI vs Denver 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
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Ann Arbor
N/A
Denver
713,734
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Denver
35.2
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Denver
13.9%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Denver
62.9%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Denver
8.8%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Denver
3.6%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Denver
27.9%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 713,734 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 13.9% | - |
| White | N/A | 62.9% | - |
| Black | N/A | 8.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 27.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Denver
$91,681
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Denver
$61,202
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Denver
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Denver
11.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Denver
55.6%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $91,681 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $61,202 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $76,653 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.6% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 11.2% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 55.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Ann Arbor +
Denver
$541,899
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Denver
49.1%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,674 | $541,899 | Ann Arbor + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 49.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Ann Arbor +
Denver
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Ann Arbor +
Denver
3234
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Denver, 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%
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Ann Arbor +
Denver
7.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
Denver
13.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Ann Arbor +
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Ann Arbor +
Denver
10.2%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.8% | 21.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 7.1% | Ann Arbor + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 15.5% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.0% | 13.3% | Ann Arbor + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 25.9% | Ann Arbor + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 10.2% | Ann Arbor + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Denver
17.2 in
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 17.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Denver
75.0%
Denver +
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Denver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Denver
27.4 min
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 27.4 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 Denver. Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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