Berkeley vs Ann Arbor: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Berkeley, CA and Ann Arbor, MI, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Ann Arbor, MI |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,385 | 122,216 |
| Median household income | $104,716 | $78,546 |
| Median home value | $1,280,300 | $416,500 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $2,067 | $1,472 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
Ad slot:
compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Berkeley, CA and Ann Arbor, MI comes down to what you value most. Ann Arbor has the lower median home value, and Ann Arbor has the lower median rent.
Berkeley has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Berkeley or Ann Arbor?
- By median home value, Ann Arbor is the cheaper of the two ($416,500 vs $1,280,300). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Berkeley or Ann Arbor?
- Median household income is $104,716 in Berkeley versus $78,546 in Ann Arbor, per the US Census Bureau.