Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Salem, OR
VS
Warren, MI
🏆 Salem leads 11 of 21 categories
Salem
Oregon
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.4⚠ High
Median Household Income
$67,540 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
140⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
175,754 ✓ Larger
Warren
Michigan
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$61,633
Violent Crime Index
143⚠ High
Population
138,588
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Salem, OR
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.3 pts lower (6.1%)
More college-educated — 31.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 32°F
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Households earn $5,907 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $349,500
Violent crime (532.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2803.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 4% higher than Warren
Warren, MI
Pros
Homes cost $180k less ($169,300 vs $349,500)
Rent averages $85/mo less ($1,139 vs $1,224)
Smaller class sizes — 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Salem
Cons
Violent crime (541.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (7.4% vs 6.1%)
Median income trails Salem by $5,907/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Salem
Median Income
$5,907
$67,540 vs $61,633/yr
Salem
Unemployment
1.3 pp lower
6.1% vs 7.4% unemployment
Warren
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 102.4 (100 = US avg)
Warren
Median Home Value
$180k less
$169,300 vs $349,500
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Salem, OR | Warren, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.4⚠ High | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $349,500⚠ High | $169,300 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,224 | $1,139 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,540 ✓ Higher | $61,633 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.7 min ✓ Shorter | 25.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 12.3% ✓ Higher | 8.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 137⚠ High | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 140⚠ High ✓ Safer | 143⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 133⚠ High | 74 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (89) | C+ (89) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.6:1 | 16.7:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.0% ✓ Higher | 19.9% |
| High School or Higher | 88.5% ✓ Higher | 86.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Salem-Keizer SD 24J | Warren Consolidated Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.4°F ✓ Warmer | 32.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 83.5°F | 83.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.5" | 29.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.1" ✓ Less | 27.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 175,754 ✓ Larger | 138,588 |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 38.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 71.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.2% ✓ More | 21.1% |
| Over 65 | 15.3% | 16.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Salem's cost of living index is 102.4 vs Warren's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Warren is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Salem leads 11 of 21 categories. Salem wins 11 and Warren wins 10. 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 Salem to Warren or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($349,500 vs $169,300 median home), income ($67,540 vs $61,633), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Salem, OR and Warren, MI are about 1,984 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.