Living in Ann Arbor, MI
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• 2025 Top 100 Best Places to Live

Why You’ll Love Living in Ann Arbor, Michigan

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, because of 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. The city is an excellent place to establish roots for recent graduates, young families looking to raise a family or those wishing to experience living in an up-and-coming metro. 

Health care also is first-rate in Ann Arbor, adding to the city’s innovative economy. Launching a career? Look no further than this city of nearly 123,000 with jobs in artificial intelligence, data security, biotechnology and auto innovation. All that academia trickles down to a creative culture that includes museums (the University of Michigan’s Museum of Art has more than a 20,000-piece collection!), 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. Ann Arbor is a community where residents are engaged and come together for the betterment of the city. 

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Ann Arbor, Michigan, is a lively city settled in southeastern Michigan, about 45 miles west of Detroit, right along Interstate 94. It’s home to the University of Michigan, giving it a youthful, vibrant energy. The nearest airport, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, is approximately 25 miles east, a major hub for flights far and wide. Geographically, Ann Arbor sits on mostly flat terrain with some gentle hills—no towering peaks, but the Huron River flows through for kayaking or a scenic walk. When you’re ready to venture out, here’s how close you are to some major nearby cities:

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

If you’re after a flat, river-lined spot with a short trip to Detroit’s buzz, Ann Arbor has you covered!

Ann Arbor 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 in Ann Arbor, 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 slightly higher than the national average. The median home value in Ann Arbor is $430,301, and the average household income is $125,019. 

Michigan residents pay a state income tax, and Ann Arbor residents can expect a 6.0% sales tax rate in 2025. 

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Creating a strong sense of community and a welcoming, inclusive environment is a top priority for Ann Arbor 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 in Ann Arbor. The Ann Arbor Jewish Book Festival celebrates Jewish authors and their stories in the fall. 

One of the sweetest ways Ann Arbor 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

Ann Arbor 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 that there is something magical about living in Ann Arbor…literally. Keep an eye out for fairies as several Ann Arbor 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 a uniquely creative 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. 

During the weekends, residents enjoy spending time at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, which has been around for 105 years and features more than 120 vendors across the state. Or, stroll through Kerrytown or Downtown Ann Arbor, exploring charming restaurants, shops and historic buildings. 

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Located in the lower “hand” of the Mitten State, Ann Arbor residents have endless outdoor activities at their 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 in Ann Arbor, with more than 79 miles of bike lanes across the city, which has helped give the city the designation of a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. The area has 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 popular spots for families. 

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A River of Fun Runs Through Ann Arbor, MI

Restaurants in Ann Arbor are as plentiful and diverse as the residents. Downtown Ann Arbor has a diverse international food scene that will delight your senses. The city has more than 400 restaurants offering everything from American classics to award-winning Italian. 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 a local institution that will satisfy any sandwich craving. For the grown-ups, Ann Arbor 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. In fact, the university is Ann Arbor’s largest employer, followed by the school’s health care system. The public school system is ranked as the best in the state, giving Ann Arbor a pipeline of talent.