Game 1: Saturday, September 5, 2026 | Michigan vs. Western Michigan | Michigan Stadium | 7:30 PM
Football is back in Ann Arbor, and so is our How Do We Compare? series!
Each week, as the Wolverines take the field, we’ll take the matchup beyond the scoreboard by comparing Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County with the community behind Michigan’s opponent. From football history to talent, innovation, affordability, and quality of place, we’ll look at how the two sides compare on and off the field.
First up: an in-state matchup between the University of Michigan Wolverines and Western Michigan University Broncos.
Ann Arbor & Kalamazoo Connections
- Michigan Innovation Hubs: Both communities are supported by research and innovation ecosystems. Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County are known for strengths in mobility, life sciences, software, and advanced technologies, while the Kalamazoo region has longstanding strengths in life sciences, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and advanced engineering.
- Talent Anchors: U-M and WMU play major roles in developing talent for their regions, collectively enrolling nearly 70,000 students and producing more than 20,000 graduates each year.
- A Promise with a U-M Connection: Kalamazoo is home to the nationally recognized Kalamazoo Promise, which provides eligible Kalamazoo Public Schools graduates with tuition support for postsecondary education. The University of Michigan is among the institutions where students can use the scholarship.
- Downtown Destinations: Kalamazoo made urban history in 1959 with what is widely recognized as the nation’s first outdoor pedestrian shopping mall. Today, both Kalamazoo and Ann Arbor feature walkable downtowns shaped by local businesses, restaurants, arts, culture, and university activity.
On the Field
Michigan enters the matchup undefeated all-time against Western Michigan, with the Wolverines winning the most recent meeting 47–14 in 2021.
One fun wrinkle: despite Michigan’s perfect record in the series, Western Michigan has scored in every matchup. The Wolverines have never shut out the Broncos.
Saturday also marks the beginning of a new era in Ann Arbor, with Kyle Whittingham making his debut as Michigan’s head coach.
Off the Field
Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo are both university-anchored communities, but their economic profiles look quite different.
Ann Arbor has approximately 122,000 residents, with nearly 78% of adults age 25 and older holding at least a bachelor’s degree. Median household income is about $82,200, and the local cost of living remains close to the national average.
Kalamazoo has approximately 72,700 residents, a median household income of about $52,300, and 38.5% of adults age 25 and older hold at least a bachelor’s degree. Its lower cost of living is a notable advantage, with an index below the national average.
Both communities benefit from major universities that contribute talent, research, entrepreneurship, and economic activity. One notable difference is scale: U-M reported approximately $2.16 billion in annual research and development expenditures, reinforcing Washtenaw County’s position as one of Michigan’s leading centers for research-driven innovation.
The Bigger Picture
Football gives us the matchup, but the comparison tells a bigger story about the communities behind the teams.
Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, and Kalamazoo each bring different strengths to Michigan’s economy, from talent and research to innovation, industry, and quality of place. While the Wolverines and Broncos compete on the field Saturday, off the field both communities are part of a broader Team Michigan, helping attract talent, companies, and investment to the state.
Throughout the season, How Do We Compare? will use Michigan’s football schedule as a fun way to explore those connections and highlight what makes the Ann Arbor region a competitive place to live, work, innovate, and grow a business.
Go Blue!
Considering a location or expansion in the Ann Arbor region? Our business development team can connect you with the data, resources, and local insights you need to evaluate Washtenaw County.
