Ann Arbor, MI vs Farmington Hills, MI

Farmington Hills is moderately more affordable than Ann Arbor, with a 10% lower cost of living index. Ann Arbor scores 117 compared to 106 for Farmington Hills, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Ann Arbor can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Ann Arbor is $1,552/month compared to $1,475/month in Farmington Hills — a 5% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Farmington Hills is more affordable at $333,200 median vs $435,100.

Median household income in Ann Arbor is $81,089 compared to $101,863 in Farmington Hills (-20.4%). Farmington Hills offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Ann Arbor spend roughly 23% of their income on rent, more than the 17.4% in Farmington Hills.