Ann Arbor, MI vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Ann Arbor
72.9
#803 nationally
Austin
68.3
#1322 nationally
Ann Arbor leads in walk score (57 vs 42). Ann Arbor leads in average commute (20.8 min vs 26.8 min). Austin leads in median household income ($91,461 vs $73,018).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Austin, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.9 (#803) | 68.3 (#1322) |
| Population | 123,851 | 967,862 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $536,036 | $504,148 |
| Median Household Income | $73,018 | $91,461 |
| Average Commute | 20.8 min | 26.8 min |
| Walk Score | 57 | 42 |
| Crime Level | Low | Moderate |
| School Rating | 8.9 | 7.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 114 | 129 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+44.4 | D+39.3 |
C-
72.9 Score
Ann Arbor, MI
A quintessential college town with big-city culture
Median Home
$536,036
Population
123,851
Crime
Low
Schools
A
Midwest
View Ann Arbor, MI →
D+
68.3 Score
Austin, TX
Live music capital meets tech innovation
Median Home
$504,148
Population
967,862
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Southwest
View Austin, TX →