Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Livonia, MI
VS
Renton, WA
🏆 Livonia leads 17 of 23 categories
Livonia
Michigan
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$92,458 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
60 ✓ Safer
Population
94,928
Renton
Washington
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$92,292
Violent Crime Index
89
Population
105,355 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Livonia, MI
Pros
Homes cost $328k less ($249,000 vs $576,800)
Rent averages $629/mo less ($1,235 vs $1,864)
33% less violent crime than Renton
Violent crime is well below the national average (228.1 vs 380/100k)
15% cheaper overall cost of living than Renton
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Cons
Higher unemployment (5.0% vs 4.2%)
Renton, WA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.8 pts lower (4.2%)
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 30°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 83°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $576,800
Higher rents — median is $1,864/mo
Cost of living runs 15% higher than Livonia
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Key Differences at a Glance
Livonia
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Livonia
Violent Crime
33% lower
228.1 vs 339.2 per 100k
Livonia
Median Home Value
$328k less
$249,000 vs $576,800
Livonia
Summer Heat
5.7°F warmer
July avg high 82.9°F vs 77.2°F
Renton
Unemployment
0.8 pp lower
4.2% vs 5.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Livonia, MI | Renton, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $249,000 ✓ Lower | $576,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,235 ✓ Lower | $1,864⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $92,458 ✓ Higher | $92,292 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.9 min ✓ Shorter | 30.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 13.3% | 16.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 60 ✓ Safer | 117⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 60 ✓ Safer | 89 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 60 ✓ Safer | 158⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (108) ✓ Better | B- (93) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 39.1% ✓ Higher | 36.9% |
| High School or Higher | 94.7% ✓ Higher | 89.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Livonia Public Schools School District | Renton School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.4°F | 48.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 82.9°F ✓ Warmer | 77.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 33.0" ✓ Drier | 44.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.0" | 6.3" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 94,928 | 105,355 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 45.2 ✓ Older | 36.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 87.2% ✓ Higher | 53.6% |
| Under 18 | 18.2% | 20.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 21.7% ✓ More | 12.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Livonia's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Renton's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Livonia is 15% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Livonia leads 17 of 23 categories. Livonia wins 17 and Renton wins 6. 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 Livonia to Renton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($249,000 vs $576,800 median home), income ($92,458 vs $92,292), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Livonia, MI and Renton, WA are about 1,910 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.