City Comparison
Warren vs Dearborn
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Warren scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Warren
Dearborn
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Warren is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Dearborn.
| Metric | Warren | Dearborn | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,450 | -7% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $115 | $130 | -12% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,250 | $2,405 | -6% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dearborn offers 6% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Dearborn delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Warren is estimated at
$52,000 vs $52,000 in Dearborn.
| Metric | Warren | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,565 idx | 73,118 idx |
| Household Income | $61,500 | $61,250 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.3°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Warren sees 1.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Warren | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.40°F | 50.70°F |
| Summer High | 82.20°F | 82.30°F |
| Winter Low | 17.90°F | 17.90°F |
| Rainfall | 33.70 in | 35.70 in |
| Snowfall | 31.50 in | 30.40 in |
| Sunny Days | 244 | 245 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 67.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Dearborn scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dearborn leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Warren | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Warren is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Dearborn.
From a growth perspective, Dearborn is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Warren | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,350 | 109,758 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 34.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.50% |
| 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.
Dearborn
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain more affordable than the national metropolitan average.
World-class culinary scene, renowned internationally for authentic Middle Eastern and diverse international cuisine.
Strong economic anchor provided by Ford Motor Company headquarters and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Rich cultural amenities, including the Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village, and numerous community parks.
Central geographic location within Metro Detroit offering seamless highway and rail connectivity.
Drawbacks
High reliance on automobile transportation, leading to traffic congestion on major corridors like Michigan Avenue.
Property tax rates in Wayne County can be higher compared to surrounding suburban counties.
Seasonal weather extremes include cold, snowy winters requiring dedicated winter maintenance.
Certain commercial areas experience parking shortages during peak shopping and festival hours.
Pockets of the city face urban infrastructure challenges common to older industrial Midwestern suburbs.
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
Dearborn
#354Michigan, USA
59.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
93
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
50.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
75
Business
70
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