City Comparison
Warren vs Davison
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Davison scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Warren
Davison
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Davison is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Warren.
Housing costs are a major driver: Warren's average rent is
17% higher than Davison's.
| Metric | Warren | Davison | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,150 | +17% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $115 | $115 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,250 | $2,040 | +10% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 88 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Warren offers 10% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Warren delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Warren is estimated at
$52,000 vs $48,000 in Davison.
| Metric | Warren | Davison |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,565 idx | 65,909 idx |
| Household Income | $61,500 | $61,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.7°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Davison sees 4.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Warren | Davison |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.40°F | 48.70°F |
| Summer High | 82.20°F | 80.70°F |
| Winter Low | 17.90°F | 16.10°F |
| Rainfall | 33.70 in | 30.90 in |
| Snowfall | 31.50 in | 35.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 244 | 245 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Davison has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Warren.
For walkability, Davison leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Warren | Davison |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Warren is the larger city
— approximately 26.7x the population of Davison.
From a growth perspective, Davison is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Davison has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Warren | Davison |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,350 | 5,150 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Warren
Advantages
Median home prices and rent are significantly more affordable than the national average.
Major employment hub anchored by General Motors and the U.S. Army Detroit Arsenal.
Extensive recreational facilities, notably the state-of-the-art Warren Community Center.
Convenient central location in Metro Detroit with rapid access to major regional highways.
Diverse community with established neighborhoods and active local civic programs.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited high-capacity rapid transit options.
Older housing stock may require frequent maintenance and energy-efficiency upgrades.
Industrial density can lead to localized heavy truck traffic during peak hours.
Winters are cold and snowy, driving up seasonal heating and snow-removal costs.
Property tax rates in Macomb County can be relatively high for certain homeowners.
Davison
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the national average per US Census and Zillow data.
Highly rated local school district that attracts families seeking quality education in a small-town setting.
Low crime rates and a strong community safety profile compared to larger nearby metropolitan areas.
Charming and walkable historic downtown area featuring local boutiques, dining, and seasonal community events.
Convenient geographic location with easy access to I-69, providing straightforward commutes to Flint and surrounding employment centers.
Drawbacks
High reliance on personal automobiles due to limited public transportation infrastructure within the city.
Limited local high-paying corporate headquarters, requiring many residents to commute for specialized career opportunities.
Winters bring heavy snowfall averaging over 35 inches annually, requiring active snow removal and winter preparedness.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options within city limits, necessitating trips to larger neighboring cities for major events.
Modest job growth rate within the immediate municipal boundaries compared to high-growth tech or financial hubs.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Warren
#347Michigan, USA
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
244/yr
Avg Temp
50.40°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
73
Business
70
Davison
#175Michigan, USA
64.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
48.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
76
Business
67
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