CostIndexUSA

Anchorage, AK vs Ann Arbor, MI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

AK
Anchorage
105.4
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
More AffordableMI
Ann Arbor
100.9
overall index
$2,050/mo rent

Ann Arbor is slightly cheaper than Anchorage — 4.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Anchorage, you would need $76,600 in Ann Arbor. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+14.0%
Anchorage
109.9
Ann Arbor
125.3
🛒 Groceries12.7%
Anchorage
107.3
Ann Arbor
93.7
🚗 Transportation3.7%
Anchorage
108.5
Ann Arbor
104.5
🏥 Healthcare3.7%
Anchorage
98.2
Ann Arbor
94.6
Utilities12.2%
Anchorage
111.8
Ann Arbor
98.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Ann Arbor, MI
$76,600
$3,400 less needed in Ann Arbor

Formula: salary × (100.9 ÷ 105.4) = salary × 0.9573. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Anchorage, AK

Median Home Price
$403,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
109.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.8×

Ann Arbor, MI

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

Ann Arbor has 14.0% higher housing costs compared to Anchorage.

Income & Job Market

Anchorage, AK

Median Household Income
$94,200
Per Capita Income
$53,700
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
291,538
Top Industries
GovernmentMilitaryTourismHealthcareEnergy

Ann Arbor, MI

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

Affordability at a Glance

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

Anchorage, AK
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

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

71% 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.