salaryAnn Arbor is the 5th-largest city in Michigan that we track, with 122,036 residents. Rent is higher than in 66% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.1 years of household income. It is a highly educated city: 77.9% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $77,440 a year. That is $37 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Michigan cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Michigan. It is number 166 of 179 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Ann Arbor?
Share of households by yearly income. 34.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Ann Arbor
| Size | Ann Arbor | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,437 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,588 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,945 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,046 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,283 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Ann Arbor overall?
Everyday prices in the Ann Arbor metro area are 1% above the U.S. average (index 100.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Ann Arbor
Life in Ann Arbor
What jobs pay in Ann Arbor
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $166,350 | 14.0% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $143,580 | 16.2% |
| Physician Assistant | $135,310 | 17.2% |
| Lawyer | $132,920 | 17.5% |
| Software Developer | $126,830 | 18.3% |
| Operations Manager | $106,000 | 21.9% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $104,550 | 22.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $103,450 | 22.5% |
| Civil Engineer | $97,570 | 23.8% |
| Dental Hygienist | $91,900 | 25.3% |
| Electrician | $81,450 | 28.5% |
| Accountant | $80,040 | 29.0% |
| Plumber | $78,210 | 29.7% |
| HVAC Technician | $75,000 | 31.0% |
| Police Officer | $74,410 | 31.2% |
| Market Research Analyst | $66,210 | 35.1% |
| Carpenter | $65,170 | 35.6% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $64,670 | 35.9% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $64,060 | 36.3% |
| Truck Driver | $59,230 | 39.2% |
| Firefighter | $48,460 | 47.9% |
| Nursing Assistant | $44,570 | 52.1% |
| Warehouse Worker | $43,470 | 53.4% |
| Medical Assistant | $43,180 | 53.8% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $40,230 | 57.7% |
| Customer Service Representative | $39,480 | 58.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $38,290 | 60.7% |
| Retail Salesperson | $35,040 | 66.3% |
| Cashier | $32,370 | 71.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Ann Arbor?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,210 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $453,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $45,340 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Ann Arbor, MI?
Renting in Ann Arbor costs a median of about $1,936 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Michigan median is $1,314.
How much do I need to make to live in Ann Arbor?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $77,440 a year, or $37 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Ann Arbor cheap or expensive?
Ann Arbor is rated OK: rent takes 26.2% of the typical household income of $88,666. It ranks 166th cheapest of 179 Michigan cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Ann Arbor?
The median homeowner in Ann Arbor pays $7,636 a year in property taxes, about 1.68% of the median home value.
Is Ann Arbor more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 1% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Ann Arbor?
The median home value in Ann Arbor is $453,400, about 5.1 times the typical yearly household income.
122,036 people live in Ann Arbor. Numbers are typical (middle) values.