Ann Arbor, MI vs Darien, IL
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
Darien
75.1
#500 nationally
Ann Arbor leads in walk score (57 vs 35). Darien leads in median household income ($110,546 vs $73,018). Ann Arbor leads in average commute (20.8 min vs 29.7 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Darien, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.9 (#803) | 75.1 (#500) |
| Population | 123,851 | 21,698 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $536,036 | $463,450 |
| Median Household Income | $73,018 | $110,546 |
| Average Commute | 20.8 min | 29.7 min |
| Walk Score | 57 | 35 |
| Crime Level | Low | 1.1 |
| School Rating | 8.9 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 114 | 122 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+44.4 | D+13.3 |
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 →
C
75.1 Score
Darien, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$463,450
Population
21,698
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
35
Midwest
View Darien, IL →