Ann Arbor vs Independence: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Ann Arbor, MI and Independence, MO, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Independence, MO |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,216 | 122,218 |
| Median household income | $78,546 | $57,415 |
| Median home value | $416,500 | $150,800 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,472 | $1,020 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Ann Arbor, MI and Independence, MO comes down to what you value most. Independence has the lower median home value, and Independence has the lower median rent.
Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor or Independence?
- By median home value, Independence is the cheaper of the two ($150,800 vs $416,500). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Ann Arbor or Independence?
- Median household income is $78,546 in Ann Arbor versus $57,415 in Independence, per the US Census Bureau.