Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Downey, CA
VS
Warren, MI
🏆 Warren leads 15 of 23 categories
Downey
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$84,236 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
121⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
113,052
Warren
Michigan
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
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.
Downey, CA
Pros
Households earn $22,603 more per year on average
15% less violent crime than Warren
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.8 pts lower (5.6%)
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 32°F
More college-educated — 25.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $679,000
Higher rents — median is $1,814/mo
Violent crime (460.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 18% higher than Warren
Warren, MI
Pros
Homes cost $510k less ($169,300 vs $679,000)
Rent averages $675/mo less ($1,139 vs $1,814)
18% cheaper overall cost of living than Downey
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Smaller class sizes — 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Downey by $22,603/yr
Violent crime (541.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (7.4% vs 5.6%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Downey
Median Income
$22,603
$84,236 vs $61,633/yr
Downey
Violent Crime
15% lower
460.5 vs 541.8 per 100k
Downey
Unemployment
1.8 pp lower
5.6% vs 7.4% unemployment
Warren
Cost of Living
18% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Warren
Median Home Value
$510k less
$169,300 vs $679,000
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Downey, CA | Warren, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $679,000⚠ High | $169,300 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,814⚠ High | $1,139 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $84,236 ✓ Higher | $61,633 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 31.3 min⚠ High | 25.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.2% | 8.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 123⚠ High | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 121⚠ High ✓ Safer | 143⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 126⚠ High | 74 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | C+ (89) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 23.7:1 | 16.7:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 25.2% ✓ Higher | 19.9% |
| High School or Higher | 80.2% | 86.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Downey Unified | Warren Consolidated Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 67.4°F ✓ Warmer | 32.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 81.4°F | 83.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 15.2" ✓ Drier | 29.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 27.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 113,052 | 138,588 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 38.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 71.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.6% ✓ More | 21.1% |
| Over 65 | 13.2% | 16.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Downey's cost of living index is 115.5 vs Warren's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Warren is 18% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Warren leads 15 of 23 categories. Downey wins 8 and Warren wins 15. 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 Downey to Warren or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($679,000 vs $169,300 median home), income ($84,236 vs $61,633), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Downey, CA and Warren, MI are about 1,979 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.