Ann Arbor MI vs Fresno 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
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fresno
543,615
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fresno
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fresno
32.4
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fresno
18.9%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fresno
38.0%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fresno
6.7%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fresno
14.2%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fresno
50.5%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fresno
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 543,615 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 32.4 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 18.9% | - |
| White | N/A | 38.0% | - |
| Black | N/A | 6.7% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 14.2% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 50.5% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fresno
$66,804
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fresno
$31,012
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fresno
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fresno
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fresno
24.9%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $66,804 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $31,012 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 8.6% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 20.9% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 24.9% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fresno
49.7%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,674 | $391,442 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 49.7% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Ann Arbor +
Fresno
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Ann Arbor +
Fresno
2388
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Fresno, 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%
Ann Arbor +
Fresno
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Ann Arbor +
Fresno
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Ann Arbor +
Fresno
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
Fresno
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Ann Arbor +
Fresno
13.8%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.8% | 37.5% | Ann Arbor + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 12.7% | Ann Arbor + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.1% | Ann Arbor + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.0% | 15.3% | Ann Arbor + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 14.1% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 13.8% | Ann Arbor + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Ann Arbor +
Fresno
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fresno
12.8 in
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.4°F | 64.2°F | Ann Arbor + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fresno
23.7 min
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 23.7 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $391,442. On public safety, Ann Arbor is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ann Arbor scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.8%.
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