Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Philadelphia, PA
VS
Warren, MI
🏆 Warren leads 13 of 23 categories
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$57,537
Violent Crime Index
239⚠ High
Population
1,593,208 ✓ Larger
Warren
Michigan
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$61,633 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
143⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
138,588
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Philadelphia, PA
Pros
More college-educated — 33.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 42°F vs 32°F
Smaller class sizes — 15.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (908.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4548.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.6% vs 7.4%)
Longer commutes — 32.8 min average each way
Warren, MI
Pros
40% less violent crime than Philadelphia
Homes cost $46k less ($169,300 vs $215,500)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (7.4%)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Rent averages $111/mo less ($1,139 vs $1,250)
Households earn $4,096 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (541.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Key Differences at a Glance
Philadelphia
Summer Heat
5.8°F warmer
July avg high 89.3°F vs 83.5°F
Warren
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 103.5 (100 = US avg)
Warren
Median Income
$4,096
$61,633 vs $57,537/yr
Warren
Violent Crime
40% lower
541.8 vs 908.7 per 100k
Warren
Median Home Value
$46k less
$169,300 vs $215,500
Warren
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
7.4% vs 8.6% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Warren, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.5⚠ High | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $215,500 | $169,300 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,250 | $1,139 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $57,537 | $61,633 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6%⚠ High | 7.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 32.8 min⚠ High | 25.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.8% ✓ Higher | 8.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 230⚠ High | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 239⚠ High | 143⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 217⚠ High | 74 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) ✓ Better | C+ (89) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 33.6% ✓ Higher | 19.9% |
| High School or Higher | 86.9% ✓ Higher | 86.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Philadelphia City SD | Warren Consolidated Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 41.6°F ✓ Warmer | 32.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 89.3°F ✓ Warmer | 83.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 50.7" | 29.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 16.1" ✓ Less | 27.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 1,593,208 ✓ Larger | 138,588 |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 38.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.2% | 71.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.5% ✓ More | 21.1% |
| Over 65 | 14.0% | 16.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Philadelphia's cost of living index is 103.5 vs Warren's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Warren is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Warren leads 13 of 23 categories. Philadelphia wins 10 and Warren wins 13. 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 Philadelphia to Warren or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($215,500 vs $169,300 median home), income ($57,537 vs $61,633), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Philadelphia, PA and Warren, MI are about 444 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.