Living Cost Compare
Ann Arbor

Michigan

$1,630/mo est.

vs
Newark

Delaware

$1,620/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 $1,620 in Newark, DE. Overall, Newark, DE is roughly 1% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Ann Arbor, MI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $81,089 in Ann Arbor, MI and $71,373 in Newark, DE — about 12% higher in Ann Arbor, MI. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax.

Ann Arbor, MI
Newark, DE

Rent

Studio
$1,274
$1,649
+29% in Newark, DE
1 Bedroom
$1,389
$1,391
+0% in Newark, DE
2 Bedroom
$1,692
$1,513
+11% in Ann Arbor, MI
3 Bedroom
$1,812
$1,916
+6% in Newark, DE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$435,100
$357,600
+18% in Ann Arbor, MI

Income

Median Household Income
$81,089
$71,373
+12% in Ann Arbor, MI
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$55,380
$54,310
+2% in Ann Arbor, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
27.7 yr
22.0 yr
+5.7 yr in Ann Arbor, MI
Homeownership
45.6%
50.3%
+4.7 pp in Newark, DE
Bachelor's+ (25+)
77.7%
57.5%
+20.2 pp in Ann Arbor, MI
Avg Commute
19.9 min
19.6 min
+0.3 min in Ann Arbor, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
311
326.3
+5% in Newark, DE
Property Crime
1,744.5
2,024.6
+16% in Newark, DE

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
54.9°F
+7.2°F in Newark, DE
Annual Precipitation
32.8 in
43.1 in
+10.3 in in Newark, DE

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.94/gal
+2% in Newark, DE

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
23.0
19.3
+16% in Ann Arbor, MI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.72
$29.73
+51% in Newark, DE

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.00
+7% in Ann Arbor, MI
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.75
+5% in Newark, DE
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$2.21
+39% in Ann Arbor, MI
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.45
+5% in Ann Arbor, MI
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$1.90
+9% in Ann Arbor, MI
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MI / DE)
6%
None
+6.0 pp in MI
Income Tax (top rate)
4.25%
6.60%
+2.3 pp in DE

Ann Arbor vs Newark — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Ann Arbor or Newark?
Newark, DE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,620 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Ann Arbor, MI's $1,630, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Ann Arbor than in Newark?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $56,000 a year in Ann Arbor versus $56,000 in Newark.
Which has lower taxes, Ann Arbor or Newark?
Ann Arbor is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Newark under Delaware's (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no 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).