City Comparison
Warren vs Flint
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Warren scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Warren
Flint
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Flint is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Warren.
Housing costs are a major driver: Warren's average rent is
42% higher than Flint's.
| Metric | Warren | Flint | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $950 | +42% |
| Groceries | $380 | $360 | +6% |
| Utilities | $175 | $250 | -30% |
| Transport | $115 | $150 | -23% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $200 | +15% |
| Monthly Total | $2,250 | $1,910 | +18% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 78 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Warren offers 167% 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 $35,000 in Flint.
| Metric | Warren | Flint |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $23,997 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $35,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,565 idx | 30,765 idx |
| Household Income | $61,500 | $37,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Warren runs warmer on average — a 41.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Warren comes out ahead with 72 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Flint sees 88.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Warren | Flint |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.40°F | 9.00°F |
| Summer High | 82.20°F | 27.00°F |
| Winter Low | 17.90°F | -9.00°F |
| Rainfall | 33.70 in | 810.00 in |
| Snowfall | 31.50 in | 120.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 244 | 172 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Flint has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Warren.
Flint scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Flint leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Warren | Flint |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Warren is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Flint.
From a growth perspective, Flint is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Warren has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Warren | Flint |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,350 | 80,175 |
| Pop. Growth | — | -0.10% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 13.10% |
| 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.
Flint
Advantages
The cost of living in Flint is significantly lower than the national average, making it highly affordable.
Housing costs, including both rent and property values, are considerably more affordable in Flint compared to many other U.S. cities.
Flint is home to important cultural institutions like the Flint Cultural Center, offering artistic and educational attractions.
The city has a strong healthcare infrastructure with three major regional hospitals providing comprehensive medical services.
Employment in Flint saw a growth rate of 2.45% from 2023 to 2024, indicating some positive job market movement.
Drawbacks
Flint has a very high crime rate, with a safety score of 18/100 and violent crime rates significantly above the national average in 2024.
The unemployment rate in Flint was 13.1% in 2026, which is considerably higher than the national average.
A substantial portion of Flint's population, 34.1% in 2024, lives below the poverty line.
Concerns about water quality persist among residents, as highlighted in 2024 community surveys.
The city has experienced a long-term population decline, with the metropolitan area decreasing by 5.3% between 2010 and 2024.
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
Flint
#600Michigan, USA
40.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$23,997
Cost Index
78
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
50.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
172/yr
Avg Temp
9.00°F
Pop. Growth
-0.10%
Unemployment
13.10%
Livability
74
Business
0
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