Ann Arbor MI vs San Francisco 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
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Francisco
836,321
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Francisco
34.2%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Francisco
35.0%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Francisco
15.9%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 836,321 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 39.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 34.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 40.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 5.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 35.0% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 15.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Francisco
$141,446
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Francisco
$90,285
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Francisco
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Francisco
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Francisco
60.1%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $141,446 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $90,285 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.6% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 60.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Ann Arbor +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,674 | $1,369,171 | Ann Arbor + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 38.5% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Ann Arbor +
San Francisco
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Ann Arbor +
San Francisco
2388
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | San Francisco, 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%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Ann Arbor +
San Francisco
9.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
San Francisco
6.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Ann Arbor +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
San Francisco
9.1%
Tie
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.8% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 9.7% | Ann Arbor + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.0% | 6.6% | Ann Arbor + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 19.6% | Ann Arbor + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 9.1% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Ann Arbor +
San Francisco
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Francisco
20.7 in
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.4°F | 55.3°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
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Francisco + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 33.9 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 503 in San Francisco. San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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