CostIndexUSA

Ann Arbor, MI vs Fresno, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMI
Ann Arbor
100.9
overall index
$2,050/mo rent
CA
Fresno
102.2
overall index
$1,850/mo rent

Ann Arbor is slightly cheaper than Fresno — 1.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Ann Arbor, you would need $81,000 in Fresno. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing23.6%
Ann Arbor
125.3
Fresno
95.7
🛒 Groceries+12.3%
Ann Arbor
93.7
Fresno
105.2
🚗 Transportation+0.8%
Ann Arbor
104.5
Fresno
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+0.7%
Ann Arbor
94.6
Fresno
95.3
Utilities+64.0%
Ann Arbor
98.2
Fresno
161

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Fresno, CA
$81,000
$1,000 more needed in Fresno

Formula: salary × (102.2 ÷ 100.9) = salary × 1.0129. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Ann Arbor, MI

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

Fresno, CA

Median Home Price
$401,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
95.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.1×

Ann Arbor has 23.6% lower housing costs compared to Fresno.

Income & Job Market

Ann Arbor, MI

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

Fresno, CA

Median Household Income
$71,100
Per Capita Income
$40,500
Unemployment Rate
7.4%
Population
542,107
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareGovernmentEducationManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

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

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

71% of income left after rent (median)

Fresno, CA
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% 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.