Living in Ann Arbor, MI
Explore Things To Do, Cost of Living, Top Restaurants and More

• 2026 Top 100 Best Places to Live
• 2025 Top 100 Best Places to Live

Thinking of moving to Ann Arbor, MI? You’ve come to the right place! You will find all the details about living here, from insight into the quality of life and cost of living to details about industry and job opportunities to lists of fun things to do.

Why You’ll Love Living in Ann Arbor, MI

Everyone roots for the home team (Go Blue!) at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI. Living in Ann Arbor is a dream as it is a city with a youthful vibe, a wealth of amenities and a robust talent pool. It’s one of the best places to live in the U.S. due, in part, to the prestigious university that pairs well with a highly ranked public school system. 

A2 – as the city is affectionately nicknamed – receives top-notch scores across the board, and it’s no wonder the city has seen a growing number of full-time residents in recent years. For the 126,229 people who call Ann Arbor home, the city is an excellent place to establish roots for recent graduates, young families looking to raise a family or those who wish to experience living in an up-and-coming metro. 

Health care is also first-rate here, adding to the city’s innovative economy. Launching a career? Look no further than this area, with jobs in artificial intelligence, data security, biotechnology and auto innovation. All that academia trickles down into a creative culture that includes museums (the University of Michigan’s Museum of Art has more than 20,000 pieces!), independent bookstores, theater and live music performances, and festivals galore, like summertime’s Ann Arbor Art Fair.

Foodies will salivate over the many restaurants serving up flavors from around the world, and outdoor lovers will thrill at all the parks, playgrounds and trails right outside their door. The walkable downtown is a great place to shop, dine, visit a gallery, watch a film or take a mural walk. This is a community where residents are engaged and come together to improve the city. 

Top Reasons to Move to Ann Arbor

• Ann Arbor is a quintessential college town with tons of school spirit and a steady stream of events and activities.
• Known as “Tree Town,” Ann Arbor offers plenty of green spaces to explore.
• Ann Arbor is an innovation hub; the economy is centered on autonomous vehicle research, biotechnology and data security, attracting top talent from around the world.
• With one of the highest per capita concentrations of bookstores, Ann Arbor residents are well read.

Ann Arbor is a lively city in southeastern Michigan, less than an hour west of Detroit, along Interstate 94. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, a central hub for flights far and wide, is approximately 25 miles east. When you’re ready to venture out, here’s how close you are to some major nearby cities:

• Detroit, MI, is just 45 miles east, where you can admire the Detroit Institute of Arts or visit the Motown Museum.
• Toledo, OH, sits 50 miles south, offering plenty of family-friendly fun, like the Toledo Museum of Art and the Toledo Zoo.
• Lansing, MI, is about 65 miles northwest, home to the Michigan State Capitol and the Potter Park Zoo.

Residents enjoy all four seasons, but there’s something magical about fall in a college town – from football Saturdays to stunning foliage.

Jobs in Ann Arbor are plentiful, and the economy is well-rounded and robust. Three of the largest industries in A2 are manufacturing, health care and automotive. In addition, several notable companies are headquartered here, including Domino’s Pizza, Borders Group and Esperion Therapeutics. Companies like ProQuest, NSF International, Google and Nokia have a significant presence here and are among the numerous companies flocking to the area. 

Compared to other tech hubs, the cost of living in Ann Arbor is low, and there’s an abundance of talent coming out of programs at U-M, Eastern Michigan University and Washtenaw Community College.

The cost of living in Ann Arbor is above the national average. The median home value in Ann Arbor is $423,853, and the average household income is $81,611.

Michigan has a state income tax, and Ann Arbor residents can expect a combined 6.0% sales tax rate in 2026.  

Why Are Companies Flocking to Ann Arbor, MI?
This City in Michigan is a Global Life Sciences Hub
Companies Enjoy Deep Pool of Highly Skilled Employees in Ann Arbor, MI

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Creating a strong sense of community and a welcoming, inclusive environment is a top priority for residents. There are a variety of annual festivals and community events designed to bring people together each year. Since 1995, Ann Arbor Pride has celebrated the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month. For nearly 30 years, the African American Downtown Festival has taken place with vendors, live music and activities in the historic Black business district in the Old Fourth Ward and Kerrytown neighborhoods. The Ann Arbor Jewish Book Series celebrates Jewish authors and their stories in the fall. 

One of the sweetest ways this city cultivates community is through the public typewriter at Literati Bookstore. On the store’s opening day in 2013, the owners placed a beautiful, black Olivetti Lettera 32 atop a table stocked with blank paper. They weren’t sure what to expect, but almost immediately, people began typing. And what they like to call the “world’s smallest publishing house” was born. The notes started simple, but over time evolved into personal stories and notes and even marriage proposals! In recent years, the bookstore has shifted to include an online typewriter for guests to leave their notes. 

Everyone is Welcome in Ann Arbor, MI

Local attractions are plentiful! There are many ways to have fun here, including several annual festivals! Ask anyone who lives in A2, and they’ll tell you there is something magical about living in Ann Arbor … literally. Keep an eye out for fairies as several local businesses and homes build miniature “fairy doors” to serve as whimsical portals for their mythical residents.

Ann Arbor is an artsy city. Filled with all kinds of colorful murals, graffiti and public art installations, there is an innovative vibe that encourages creativity throughout. The annual Ann Arbor Art Fair, the largest juried art fair in the country, is held each July with more than 1,000 artists.

Of course, this is a college town, after all, and lots of entertainment opportunities are centered around the University of Michigan. People don’t mess around when it comes to experiencing ’The Big House’ – the nation’s largest football stadium! – during football season, but there are opportunities to cheer on the Wolverines in various sports all year long. 

8 Reasons to Move to Ann Arbor, Mi
Things to Do in Ann Arbor, MI
7 Must-Visit Festivals in Ann Arbor, MI

Located in the lower “hand” of the Mitten State, Ann Arbor puts endless outdoor activities at residents’ fingertips. Go kayaking or canoeing along the Huron River at the Delhi Metropark. You might even spot some turtles! The Argo Cascades are a series of drops and pools located near downtown and are one of the most popular warm-weather attractions. 

On dry land, the Border-to-Border Trail is a 35-mile, ADA-accessible paved pathway with half a dozen trail corridors connecting residents to cities and parks throughout Washtenaw County. Biking is a breeze here, with more than 79 miles of bike lanes across the city, earning the city the designation of a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. The area has an additional 55 city and regional parks, including the 20,000-acre Waterloo Recreation Area, the largest park in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Nickels Arcade or the Matthaei Botanical Gardens are also popular spots for families. 

Walking and Biking in Ann Arbor Is a Breeze
A River of Fun Runs Through Ann Arbor, MI

Local restaurants are as diverse as the residents – with more than 400 restaurants offering everything from American classics to award-winning Italian. Downtown Ann Arbor has a varied international food scene that will delight your senses. The local food economy, in particular, thrives with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients. 

Families can feast at a number of local restaurants, and everyone knows that Zingerman’s Deli is an institution that will satisfy any sandwich craving. For the grown-ups, the city has embraced boutique spirits and artisan cocktail culture. Among the popular bars making an impact with their creative cocktails are The Raven’s Club and The Last Word.

Ann Arbor is a well-known college town geared to the 51,000 students at the University of Michigan on its 3,200-acre campus, giving Ann Arbor a pipeline of talent. In fact, the university is the city’s largest employer, followed by the school’s health care system.

Ann Arbor Public Schools is a highly rated public school district, serving over 17,000 students and ranked as the best in the state. Several private school options are available for families, ranging from religiously affiliated to college prep.

Companies Enjoy Deep Pool of Highly Skilled Employees in Ann Arbor, MI
Ann Arbor Talent Pool Stocked by University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University