Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
Warren, MI
🏆 It's a dead heat — 11 categories each
Ann Arbor
Michigan
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$78,546 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
80 ✓ Safer
Population
122,216
Warren
Michigan
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$61,633
Violent Crime Index
143⚠ High
Population
138,588 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Ann Arbor, MI
Pros
More college-educated — 77.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
44% less violent crime than Warren
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.7 pts lower (3.7%)
Households earn $16,913 more per year on average
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Smaller class sizes — 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $416,500
Higher rents — median is $1,472/mo
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Warren, MI
Pros
Homes cost $247k less ($169,300 vs $416,500)
Rent averages $333/mo less ($1,139 vs $1,472)
Cons
Violent crime (541.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Ann Arbor by $16,913/yr
Higher unemployment (7.4% vs 3.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Ann Arbor
Median Income
$16,913
$78,546 vs $61,633/yr
Ann Arbor
Violent Crime
44% lower
302.5 vs 541.8 per 100k
Ann Arbor
Unemployment
3.7 pp lower
3.7% vs 7.4% unemployment
Both cities
Cost of Living
≈ Equal
Both near 98.0 on the COL index
Warren
Median Home Value
$247k less
$169,300 vs $416,500
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Warren, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 | 98.0 |
| Median Home Value | $416,500⚠ High | $169,300 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High | $1,139 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 ✓ Higher | $61,633 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 7.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 25.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 8.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 80 ✓ Safer | 115⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 143⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 | 74 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | C+ (89) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 19.9% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 86.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | Warren Consolidated Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 32.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F ✓ Warmer | 83.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" | 29.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 27.9" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 | 138,588 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 38.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% | 71.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 21.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 16.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Warren's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Both have a similar overall cost of living.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, It's a dead heat — 11 categories each. Ann Arbor wins 11 and Warren wins 11. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Ann Arbor to Warren or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $169,300 median home), income ($78,546 vs $61,633), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and Warren, MI are about 39 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.