City Comparison
Warren vs Southfield
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Southfield scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Warren
Southfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Warren is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Southfield.
| Metric | Warren | Southfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,450 | -7% |
| Groceries | $380 | $410 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $115 | $130 | -12% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $240 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,250 | $2,405 | -6% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Southfield offers 6% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Southfield 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 Southfield.
| Metric | Warren | Southfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,565 idx | 70,833 idx |
| Household Income | $61,500 | $74,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.6°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Southfield sees 5.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Warren | Southfield |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.40°F | 49.80°F |
| Summer High | 82.20°F | 82.00°F |
| Winter Low | 17.90°F | 17.40°F |
| Rainfall | 33.70 in | 32.40 in |
| Snowfall | 31.50 in | 36.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 244 | 246 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
| Metric | Warren | Southfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Warren is the larger city
— approximately 1.8x the population of Southfield.
From a growth perspective, Southfield is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Southfield has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Warren | Southfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,350 | 76,500 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 42.0 |
| 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.
Southfield
Advantages
Strategic location in Oakland County with direct access to major freeways like I-696 and US-10
Robust commercial hub hosting numerous corporate headquarters and professional service firms
Diverse and welcoming community with strong cultural representation and active local engagement
Excellent healthcare infrastructure anchored by Ascension Providence Hospital
More affordable housing options compared to neighboring affluent Oakland County communities
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited walkability and transit scores outside central corridors
Property tax rates can be relatively high compared to some surrounding townships
Traffic congestion along major commuter arteries during peak rush hours
Varying crime rates and safety profiles depending on the specific neighborhood
Older housing stock in some areas may require significant maintenance or updates
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
Southfield
#282Michigan, USA
61.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
246/yr
Avg Temp
49.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
73
Business
70
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