CostIndexUSA

Ann Arbor, MI vs Phoenix, AZ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMI
Ann Arbor
100.9
overall index
$2,050/mo rent
AZ
Phoenix
103.3
overall index
$1,725/mo rent

Ann Arbor is slightly cheaper than Phoenix — 2.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Ann Arbor, you would need $81,900 in Phoenix. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing3.3%
Ann Arbor
125.3
Phoenix
121.2
🛒 Groceries+1.4%
Ann Arbor
93.7
Phoenix
95
🚗 Transportation+4.5%
Ann Arbor
104.5
Phoenix
109.2
🏥 Healthcare+4.4%
Ann Arbor
94.6
Phoenix
98.8
Utilities5.0%
Ann Arbor
98.2
Phoenix
93.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Phoenix, AZ
$81,900
$1,900 more needed in Phoenix

Formula: salary × (103.3 ÷ 100.9) = salary × 1.0238. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Ann Arbor, MI

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

Phoenix, AZ

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
121.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Ann Arbor has 3.3% lower housing costs compared to Phoenix.

Income & Job Market

Ann Arbor, MI

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

Phoenix, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
1,608,139
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareReal EstateTourismFinance

Affordability at a Glance

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

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

71% of income left after rent (median)

Phoenix, AZ
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.