Ann Arbor, MI vs Cary, NC
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
Cary
72.1
#924 nationally
Ann Arbor leads in walk score (57 vs 28). Cary leads in median household income ($125,317 vs $73,018). Ann Arbor leads in cost of living index (114 vs 125).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Cary, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.9 (#803) | 72.1 (#924) |
| Population | 123,851 | 180,010 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $536,036 | $628,913 |
| Median Household Income | $73,018 | $125,317 |
| Average Commute | 20.8 min | 22.8 min |
| Walk Score | 57 | 28 |
| Crime Level | Low | 1.9 |
| School Rating | 8.9 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 114 | 125 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+44.4 | D+25.6 |
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 →
C-
72.1 Score
Cary, NC
Mid-size North Carolina city with community character
Median Home
$628,913
Population
180,010
Crime
Low
Walk Score
28
Southeast
View Cary, NC →