CostIndexUSA

Ann Arbor, MI vs Ontario, 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
Ontario
106.4
overall index
$2,475/mo rent

Ann Arbor is moderately cheaper than Ontario — 5.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Ann Arbor, you would need $84,400 in Ontario. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+3.2%
Ann Arbor
125.3
Ontario
129.3
🛒 Groceries+8.2%
Ann Arbor
93.7
Ontario
101.4
🚗 Transportation+1.7%
Ann Arbor
104.5
Ontario
106.3
🏥 Healthcare+1.7%
Ann Arbor
94.6
Ontario
96.2
Utilities+51.3%
Ann Arbor
98.2
Ontario
148.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Ontario, CA
$84,400
$4,400 more needed in Ontario

Formula: salary × (106.4 ÷ 100.9) = salary × 1.0545. 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×

Ontario, CA

Median Home Price
$576,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,475
Housing Index
129.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4×

Ontario has 3.2% 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

Ontario, CA

Median Household Income
$87,800
Per Capita Income
$50,000
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
Population
175,265
Top Industries
LogisticsHealthcareManufacturingRetailFinance

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)

Ontario, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

66% 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.