Living Cost Compare
Ann Arbor

Michigan

$1,630/mo est.

vs
Bellevue

Nebraska

$1,160/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,630 in Ann Arbor, MI versus $1,160 in Bellevue, NE. Overall, Bellevue, NE is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Ann Arbor, MI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,089 in Ann Arbor, MI and $87,343 in Bellevue, NE — about 7% higher in Bellevue, NE. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax.

Ann Arbor, MI
Bellevue, NE

Rent

Studio
$1,274
$1,106
+13% in Ann Arbor, MI
1 Bedroom
$1,389
$1,008
+27% in Ann Arbor, MI
2 Bedroom
$1,692
$1,190
+30% in Ann Arbor, MI
3 Bedroom
$1,812
$1,660
+8% in Ann Arbor, MI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$435,100
$230,800
+47% in Ann Arbor, MI

Income

Median Household Income
$81,089
$87,343
+8% in Bellevue, NE
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$55,380
$49,660
+10% in Ann Arbor, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
27.7 yr
36.1 yr
+8.4 yr in Bellevue, NE
Homeownership
45.6%
65.5%
+19.9 pp in Bellevue, NE
Bachelor's+ (25+)
77.7%
33.4%
+44.3 pp in Ann Arbor, MI
Avg Commute
19.9 min
20.8 min
+0.9 min in Bellevue, NE

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
311
100.8
+68% in Ann Arbor, MI
Property Crime
1,744.5
1,149.4
+34% in Ann Arbor, MI

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
47.7°F
51.1°F
+3.4°F in Bellevue, NE
Annual Precipitation
32.8 in
30.6 in
+2.2 in in Ann Arbor, MI

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.85/gal
about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
23.0
13.3
+42% in Ann Arbor, MI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.72
$20.10
+2% in Bellevue, NE

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.66
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$3.63
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.77
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$2.10
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

Average prices — Midwest vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MI / NE)
6%
5.5%
+0.5 pp in MI
Income Tax (top rate)
4.25%
4.55%
+0.3 pp in NE

Ann Arbor vs Bellevue — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Ann Arbor or Bellevue?
Bellevue, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Ann Arbor, MI's $1,630, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Ann Arbor than in Bellevue?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $56,000 a year in Ann Arbor versus $40,000 in Bellevue.
Which has lower taxes, Ann Arbor or Bellevue?
Ann Arbor is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Bellevue under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).