Ann Arbor MI vs San Jose 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 Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Jose
990,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Jose
41.6%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Jose
38.6%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Jose
30.9%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 990,054 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 38.1 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 41.6% | - |
| White | N/A | 29.0% | - |
| Black | N/A | 2.9% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 38.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 30.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Jose
$141,565
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Jose
$63,253
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Jose
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Jose
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Jose
46.5%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $141,565 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $63,253 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.7% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 7.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 46.5% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Ann Arbor +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Jose
56.0%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,674 | $1,452,609 | Ann Arbor + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 56.0% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Ann Arbor +
San Jose
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Ann Arbor +
San Jose
2388
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | San Jose, 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 Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Ann Arbor +
San Jose
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
San Jose
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Ann Arbor +
San Jose
9.4%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.8% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 11.1% | Ann Arbor + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 14.9% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.0% | 9.1% | Ann Arbor + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 9.4% | Ann Arbor + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Ann Arbor +
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Jose
14.9 in
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.4°F | 61.5°F | Ann Arbor + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 14.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
San Jose
75.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Jose + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Jose + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
San Jose
30.4 min
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 30.4 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 503 in San Jose. San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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