Ann Arbor MI vs Virginia Beach VA — 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
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Ann Arbor
N/A
Virginia Beach
457,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 457,066 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.4 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 9.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 61.6% | - |
| Black | N/A | 18.9% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 7.2% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 8.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $90,685 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $47,372 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.3% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 8.4% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 40.4% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Virginia Beach
64.9%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,674 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 64.9% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Ann Arbor +
Virginia Beach
1726
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1726 | Ann Arbor + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
25.8%
Ann Arbor +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Ann Arbor +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Ann Arbor +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.8% | 36.5% | Ann Arbor + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 11.8% | Ann Arbor + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.0% | 8.3% | Ann Arbor + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.1% | Ann Arbor + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 25.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Ann Arbor. Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ann Arbor scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.8%.
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