City Comparison
Warren vs St. Clair Shores
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
St. Clair Shores scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Warren
St. Clair Shores
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Warren is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in St. Clair Shores.
| Metric | Warren | St. Clair Shores | 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 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
St. Clair Shores offers 6% 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 Warren is estimated at
$52,000 vs $52,000 in St. Clair Shores.
| Metric | Warren | St. Clair Shores |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,565 idx | 69,388 idx |
| Household Income | $61,500 | $78,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.3°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — St. Clair Shores sees 2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Warren | St. Clair Shores |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.40°F | 50.10°F |
| Summer High | 82.20°F | 79.20°F |
| Winter Low | 17.90°F | 19.60°F |
| Rainfall | 33.70 in | 32.60 in |
| Snowfall | 31.50 in | 33.50 in |
| Sunny Days | 244 | 244 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
For walkability, St. Clair Shores leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Warren | St. Clair Shores |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 44.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Warren is the larger city
— approximately 2.3x the population of St. Clair Shores.
From a growth perspective, Warren is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, St. Clair Shores has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Warren | St. Clair Shores |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,350 | 58,800 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 43.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.00% |
| 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.
St. Clair Shores
Advantages
Extensive waterfront access and boating culture along the famous Nautical Mile and Lake St. Clair
Crime rates consistently lower than both Michigan state averages and national benchmarks
More affordable housing options compared to western and northern Detroit metro suburbs
Proximity to major regional employment centers in Detroit, Warren, and Troy via I-94
Active municipal park system featuring popular community gathering spots like Blossom Heath Park
Drawbacks
High car-dependency with limited robust public mass transit options within city borders
Older housing stock often requires ongoing maintenance and updates for modern energy efficiency
Property tax rates in Macomb County can be relatively high compared to some outer-ring suburbs
Winters bring substantial snowfall (33.5 inches annually) requiring regular snow removal
Limited large corporate headquarters physically located inside city limits, necessitating commutes
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
St. Clair Shores
#139Michigan, USA
65.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
244/yr
Avg Temp
50.10°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
76
Business
68
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Warren and St. Clair Shores.
Open Cost Calculator