Is it cheaper to live in Ann Arbor or Casper?

Casper, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $930 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 43% 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 Casper?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $56,000 a year in Ann Arbor versus $31,000 in Casper.

Which has lower taxes, Ann Arbor or Casper?

Ann Arbor is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Casper under Wyoming's (no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax).

Ann Arbor vs Casper Cost of Living 2026

Ann Arbor

Michigan

$1,630/mo est.

Casper

Wyoming

$930/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 $930 in Casper, WY. Overall, Casper, WY is roughly 43% 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 $69,171 in Casper, WY — about 15% higher in Ann Arbor, MI. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; Wyoming has no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax.

Ann Arbor, MI

Casper, WY

Rent

Studio

$1,274

$730

+43% in Ann Arbor, MI

1 Bedroom

$1,389

$764

+45% in Ann Arbor, MI

2 Bedroom

$1,692

$930

+45% in Ann Arbor, MI

3 Bedroom

$1,812

$1,299

+28% in Ann Arbor, MI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$435,100

$250,700

+42% in Ann Arbor, MI

Income

Median Household Income

$81,089

$69,171

+15% in Ann Arbor, MI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$55,380

$48,880

+12% in Ann Arbor, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

27.7 yr

37.0 yr

+9.3 yr in Casper, WY

Homeownership

45.6%

70.3%

+24.7 pp in Casper, WY

Bachelor's+ (25+)

77.7%

30.0%

+47.7 pp in Ann Arbor, MI

Avg Commute

19.9 min

16.9 min

+3.0 min in Ann Arbor, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

311

302.4

+3% in Ann Arbor, MI

Property Crime

1,744.5

2,123.8

+22% in Casper, WY

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

45.4°F

+2.3°F in Ann Arbor, MI

Annual Precipitation

32.8 in

12.5 in

+20.3 in in Ann Arbor, MI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.27/gal

+11% in Casper, WY

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.0

15.2

+34% in Ann Arbor, MI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.72

$18.28

+7% in Ann Arbor, MI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Casper, WY

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Casper, WY

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Ann Arbor, MI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Casper, WY

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Ann Arbor, MI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Casper, WY

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MI / WY)

+2.0 pp in MI

Income Tax (top rate)

4.25%

None

+4.3 pp in MI

Ann Arbor vs Casper — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Ann Arbor or Casper?: Casper, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $930 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 43% 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 Casper?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $56,000 a year in Ann Arbor versus $31,000 in Casper.
Which has lower taxes, Ann Arbor or Casper?: Ann Arbor is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Casper under Wyoming's (no state income tax and a 4% 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).