Ann Arbor MI vs Houston TX — 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
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Ann Arbor
N/A
Houston
2,300,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Houston
34.3
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Houston
28.8%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Houston
35.5%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Houston
22.9%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Houston
6.9%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Houston
44.1%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 2,300,419 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.3 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 28.8% | - |
| White | N/A | 35.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 22.9% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 6.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 44.1% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Houston
$41,142
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Houston
36.0%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $62,894 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $41,142 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,758 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.7% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 19.7% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 36.0% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,674 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 42.0% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Houston
442
Houston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Ann Arbor +
Houston
2339
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 442 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2339 | Ann Arbor + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
25.8%
Ann Arbor +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Ann Arbor +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Ann Arbor +
Houston
13.6%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.8% | 38.0% | Ann Arbor + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 13.9% | Ann Arbor + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.0% | 24.0% | Ann Arbor + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 16.7% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 13.6% | Ann Arbor + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Houston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 29.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Ann Arbor. Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ann Arbor scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.8%.
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