City Comparison

Ann Arbor vs Youngstown

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Ann Arbor

Michigan
114
Above Average
$400,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$65,024
Median Income

Youngstown

Ohio
82
Very Affordable
$102,000
Median Home
$725/mo
Median Rent
$34,600
Median Income

The Verdict

39.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 39.0%, with Youngstown being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Ann Arbor has equivalent purchasing power to $53,947 in Youngstown.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
135
Ann Arbor
41
Youngstown
Groceries
101
Ann Arbor
98
Youngstown
Utilities
99
Ann Arbor
96
Youngstown
Transportation
101
Ann Arbor
101
Youngstown
Healthcare
101
Ann Arbor
90
Youngstown

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Ann Arbor has the same purchasing power as $53,947 in Youngstown.

Conversely, $75,000 in Youngstown equals $104,268 in Ann Arbor.

Living in Ann Arbor vs Youngstown

Housing Costs

Ann Arbor's housing index of 135 is higher Youngstown's 41, translating to median home prices of $400,000 vs $102,000. The $298,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,368 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Ann Arbor compared to $725/mo in Youngstown, a monthly difference of $875.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Ann Arbor and 98 in Youngstown. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Ann Arbor vs $466/month in Youngstown. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Ann Arbor and 96 in Youngstown. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Ann Arbor vs $384 in Youngstown. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 101 in Ann Arbor and 90 in Youngstown. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $65,024 in Ann Arbor and $34,600 in Youngstown. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,039 and $42,195 respectively. Ann Arbor residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,517/month to housing in Ann Arbor vs $807/month in Youngstown. In Ann Arbor, median rent of $1,600/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Youngstown, median rent of $725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 94 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Youngstown is 39.0% more affordable overall with an index of 82 vs 114.
A $75,000 salary in Ann Arbor has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $53,947 in Youngstown, based on the cost of living difference.
Ann Arbor's housing index is 135 with median homes at $400,000, while Youngstown's is 41 with median homes at $102,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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