CostIndexUSA

Abilene, TX vs Ann Arbor, MI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Abilene
90.4
overall index
$1,775/mo rent
MI
Ann Arbor
100.9
overall index
$2,050/mo rent

Abilene is moderately cheaper than Ann Arbor — 11.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Abilene, you would need $89,300 in Ann Arbor. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+69.8%
Abilene
73.8
Ann Arbor
125.3
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Abilene
93.8
Ann Arbor
93.7
🚗 Transportation+3.4%
Abilene
101.1
Ann Arbor
104.5
🏥 Healthcare+3.5%
Abilene
91.4
Ann Arbor
94.6
Utilities+20.9%
Abilene
81.2
Ann Arbor
98.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Abilene to see what you'd need to earn in Ann Arbor to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Ann Arbor, MI
$89,300
$9,300 more needed in Ann Arbor

Formula: salary × (100.9 ÷ 90.4) = salary × 1.1162. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Abilene, TX

Median Home Price
$200,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
73.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
9.4×

Ann Arbor, MI

Median Home Price
$398,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,050
Housing Index
125.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Ann Arbor has 69.8% higher housing costs compared to Abilene.

Income & Job Market

Abilene, TX

Median Household Income
$61,300
Per Capita Income
$34,900
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
124,451
Top Industries
HealthcareMilitaryEducationRetailManufacturing

Ann Arbor, MI

Median Household Income
$83,800
Per Capita Income
$47,800
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
Population
123,851
Top Industries
EducationTechnologyHealthcareManufacturingResearch

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Abilene, TX
2.9×income-to-rent ratio

65% of income left after rent (median)

Ann Arbor, MI
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.