Campus Profile
Homes Near University of Michigan Central Campus, Ann Arbor
Heart of UM with the Diag, LSA, and the undergraduate core.
0.6 miles northwest of central Ann Arbor via local streets.
Estimated employees on site: 20,000+
Browse homes by commute time
Pick a drive-time ring. Each page shows live listings, ranked neighborhoods, route analysis, and a full narrative of the commute from every qualifying area.
Neighborhoods within 30 minutes of University of Michigan Central Campus
Ranked by straight-line distance, with rough drive-time ranges. Times widen in rush hour and narrow on weekends. Click any neighborhood to see its full commute profile against every major employer.
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1.Old Fourth Ward
0.4 miles southeast · 2-3 minute drive
Compact historic district north of downtown with 19th-century worker cottages and Italianates, dense lots, and heavy student and young-professional turnover.
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2.Burns Park
0.6 miles northwest · 2-4 minute drive
Pre-war colonials and Tudors on tree-lined streets east of campus, favored by UMich faculty and families for the elementary school and park.
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3.Allen Creek
0.6 miles east · 2-4 minute drive
Low-lying corridor west of downtown following the buried Allen Creek, a mix of early-1900s workers' cottages, small condos, and flood-aware redevelopment.
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4.Kerrytown
0.7 miles southeast · 2-4 minute drive
Mixed-use district around the farmers market with lofts, rehabbed Victorians, and artisan retail, drawing downtown workers and empty-nesters.
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5.Lower Burns Park
0.7 miles north · 2-4 minute drive
Southern stretch of Burns Park with smaller 1940s bungalows and ranches, close to Buhr Park, the ice arena, and Packard commercial strip.
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6.Old West Side
0.9 miles east · 3-5 minute drive
National Register historic district of Victorian and Craftsman homes west of Main Street, walkable to downtown and popular with long-tenure owners.
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7.Orchard Hills-Maplewood
1.0 miles west · 3-5 minute drive
Paired east-side neighborhoods of 1960s colonials and ranches between Huron Parkway and Washtenaw, anchored by Clague Park and Huron High.
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8.Packard-Stadium
1.1 miles north · 3-5 minute drive
Dense rental and starter-home corridor where Packard meets Stadium, mixing 1920s bungalows, student houses, and walkups near Pioneer High.
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9.Water Hill
1.1 miles southeast · 3-5 minute drive
Hilly pocket north of Miller Avenue with 1920s bungalows and newer infill, known for the annual neighborhood music festival and tight community.
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10.Northside
1.2 miles south · 4-6 minute drive
Diverse neighborhood north of Plymouth Road with 1950s ranches, newer townhomes, and direct access to North Campus and Huron River parks.
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11.Ann Arbor Hills
1.2 miles south · 4-6 minute drive
Upscale mid-century enclave east of Huron Parkway with large wooded lots, ranches and split-levels, favored by senior hospital staff and faculty.
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12.Eberwhite
1.5 miles northeast · 4-7 minute drive
West-side neighborhood bordering Eberwhite Woods with 1950s ranches and colonials on larger lots, drawing families for the elementary school and nature area.
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13.Glacier Highlands
1.5 miles west · 4-6 minute drive
East-side neighborhood off Glazier Way with 1960s splits and colonials, feeding Clague Middle and Huron High, popular with NIH and hospital researchers.
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14.Pattengill
1.8 miles north · 4-7 minute drive
South-central neighborhood around Pattengill Elementary with postwar ranches and Cape Cods, quiet streets, and quick I-94 access for commuters.
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15.Barton Hills
2.0 miles southeast · 5-8 minute drive
Incorporated village surrounded by Ann Arbor with wooded estates along the Huron River, private country club, and some of the county's highest price points.
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16.North Oaks
2.1 miles south · 5-8 minute drive
Newer subdivision on the far north side with 2000s colonials and townhomes, popular with North Campus researchers and St. Joseph's commuters.
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17.Pittsfield Village
2.1 miles north · 5-8 minute drive
1940s co-op community of brick row homes south of Stadium, one of the most affordable ownership options inside city limits.
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18.Dicken
2.1 miles northeast · 5-8 minute drive
West-side neighborhood around Dicken Elementary with 1960s ranches and splits, bordering Dicken Woods nature area and a short drive to downtown.
About Commuting to University of Michigan Central Campus
The University of Michigan's Central Campus is the academic and cultural heart of Ann Arbor. With over 47,000 students and 50,000 employees, the university drives much of the region's housing demand. Faculty, staff, and graduate students all compete for homes within easy reach of the Diag, the libraries, and lecture halls. Whether you're a tenured professor, a postdoc, or an administrative professional, living close to Central Campus means spending less time in traffic and more time on what matters: research, teaching, or simply enjoying Ann Arbor's downtown.
Commute Tips & Traffic Patterns
State Street and South University see heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic during class changes. Football Saturdays in fall create major congestion. Plan accordingly if you live south or west of the stadium. The best commute corridors are Geddes Avenue from the east and Liberty Street from the west. Biking is extremely popular for Central Campus commuters. The city's protected bike lanes on Division and William Streets make car-free commuting realistic for homes within 3 miles.
Buyer Profile
Central Campus attracts a wide range of buyers: graduate students and postdocs seeking affordable condos under $250K, early-career faculty in the $350K to $550K range, and senior faculty and administrators investing in homes above $600K. The student rental market also draws investor buyers.
Market Snapshot
The neighborhoods immediately surrounding Central Campus are among the most expensive in Ann Arbor, with Burns Park and the Old West Side commanding median prices of $500K to $700K. Inventory is tight. Homes in walkable-to-campus locations often receive multiple offers within days. The condo market near campus remains active, with units in the $150K to $300K range popular among first-time buyers.
Related Searches
Guides by audience
Different jobs at UM Central come with different housing priorities. These guides drill into the specific tradeoffs.
Neighborhood head-to-heads
Side-by-side comparisons for buyers already deciding between two neighborhoods for UM Central.
- Burns Park vs Old West Side — classic faculty neighborhoods head-to-head
- Water Hill vs Old Fourth Ward — entry-point walkable neighborhoods
- Burns Park vs Ypsilanti Normal Park — west-side premium versus east-side value
University of Michigan Central Campus sits at 500 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109. Drive-time estimates on this page reflect typical weekday conditions and are modeled from the Ann Arbor road network.
Last reviewed: May 2026.