CostIndexUSA

Ann Arbor, MI vs Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
113.6
overall index
$2,875/mo rent

Ann Arbor is moderately cheaper than Los Angeles — 12.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Ann Arbor, you would need $90,100 in Los Angeles. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+36.0%
Ann Arbor
125.3
Los Angeles
170.4
🛒 Groceries+13.8%
Ann Arbor
93.7
Los Angeles
106.6
🚗 Transportation+4.9%
Ann Arbor
104.5
Los Angeles
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+4.8%
Ann Arbor
94.6
Los Angeles
99.1
Utilities+61.5%
Ann Arbor
98.2
Los Angeles
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Los Angeles, CA
$90,100
$10,100 more needed in Los Angeles

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 100.9) = salary × 1.1259. 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×

Los Angeles, CA

Median Home Price
$944,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,875
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
27.4×

Los Angeles has 36.0% higher housing costs compared to Ann Arbor.

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

Los Angeles, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
3,979,576
Top Industries
EntertainmentTechnologyHealthcareLogisticsReal Estate

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)

Los Angeles, CA
2.7×income-to-rent ratio

63% 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.