CostIndexUSA

Ann Arbor, MI vs Kalamazoo, MI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MI
Ann Arbor
100.9
overall index
$2,050/mo rent
More AffordableMI
Kalamazoo
94.8
overall index
$1,350/mo rent

Kalamazoo is moderately cheaper than Ann Arbor — 6.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Ann Arbor, you would need $75,200 in Kalamazoo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing34.9%
Ann Arbor
125.3
Kalamazoo
81.6
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Ann Arbor
93.7
Kalamazoo
93.7
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Ann Arbor
104.5
Kalamazoo
104.5
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Ann Arbor
94.6
Kalamazoo
94.6
Utilities+1.1%
Ann Arbor
98.2
Kalamazoo
99.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Kalamazoo, MI
$75,200
$4,800 less needed in Kalamazoo

Formula: salary × (94.8 ÷ 100.9) = salary × 0.9395. 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×

Kalamazoo, MI

Median Home Price
$262,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
81.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Ann Arbor has 34.9% lower housing costs compared to Kalamazoo.

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

Kalamazoo, MI

Median Household Income
$67,200
Per Capita Income
$38,300
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
72,305
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingPharmaceuticalsFinance

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)

Kalamazoo, MI
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.