City Comparison
Pontiac vs Warren
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Warren scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Pontiac
Warren
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Pontiac is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Warren.
| Metric | Pontiac | Warren | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,350 | -7% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $150 | $115 | +30% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,185 | $2,250 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Warren offers 16% lower 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 Pontiac is estimated at
$48,000 vs $52,000 in Warren.
| Metric | Pontiac | Warren |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $64,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,364 idx | 69,565 idx |
| Household Income | $46,500 | $61,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.3°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Pontiac sees 5.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Pontiac | Warren |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.10°F | 50.40°F |
| Summer High | 80.50°F | 82.20°F |
| Winter Low | 16.90°F | 17.90°F |
| Rainfall | 31.70 in | 33.70 in |
| Snowfall | 36.60 in | 31.50 in |
| Sunny Days | 240 | 244 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Pontiac leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Pontiac | Warren |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 51.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 44.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Warren is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Pontiac.
From a growth perspective, Pontiac 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 | Pontiac | Warren |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,606 | 137,350 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | — |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 5.80% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Pontiac
Advantages
Median home prices in Pontiac remain significantly below the Oakland County average per Zillow 2024 data.
Proximity to major regional employment corridors along the I-75 loop and Metro Detroit.
Abundant outdoor recreation access via the Clinton River Trail and local parks.
Active downtown revitalization and historic preservation efforts led by local stakeholders.
Diverse community culture with frequent local festivals and neighborhood events.
Drawbacks
Property crime rates in certain neighborhoods remain above the national average per FBI crime data.
Public transportation options outside of primary bus routes are limited, requiring car ownership.
Public school district performance metrics lag behind wealthier surrounding townships.
Certain commercial corridors feature vacant properties awaiting redevelopment.
State Equalized Value and property tax structures can create financial burdens for homeowners.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Pontiac
#551Michigan, USA
48.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
51.0/100
Sunny Days
240/yr
Avg Temp
49.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
5.80%
Livability
61
Business
63
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
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