Head-to-Head · City Comparison
San Tan Valley, AZ
VS
Warren, MI
🏆 San Tan Valley leads 14 of 23 categories
San Tan Valley
Arizona
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.0
Median Household Income
$88,466 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
62 ✓ Safer
Population
101,207
Warren
Michigan
9
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.
San Tan Valley, AZ
Pros
56% less violent crime than Warren
Households earn $26,833 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.9 pts lower (4.5%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (235.7 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 32°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,729/mo
Longer commutes — 36.2 min average each way
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Cost of living runs 2% higher than Warren
Warren, MI
Pros
Homes cost $135k less ($169,300 vs $304,000)
Rent averages $590/mo less ($1,139 vs $1,729)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 104°F
Smaller class sizes — 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio
2% cheaper overall cost of living than San Tan Valley
Cons
Median income trails San Tan Valley by $26,833/yr
Violent crime (541.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (7.4% vs 4.5%)
Key Differences at a Glance
San Tan Valley
Median Income
$26,833
$88,466 vs $61,633/yr
San Tan Valley
Violent Crime
56% lower
235.7 vs 541.8 per 100k
San Tan Valley
Unemployment
2.9 pp lower
4.5% vs 7.4% unemployment
San Tan Valley
Summer Heat
20.7°F warmer
July avg high 104.2°F vs 83.5°F
Warren
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 100.0 (100 = US avg)
Warren
Median Home Value
$135k less
$169,300 vs $304,000
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | San Tan Valley, AZ | Warren, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.0 | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $304,000 | $169,300 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,729⚠ High | $1,139 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $88,466 ✓ Higher | $61,633 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 36.2 min⚠ High | 25.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.5% ✓ Higher | 8.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 56 ✓ Safer | 115⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 62 ✓ Safer | 143⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 46 ✓ Safer | 74 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (83) | C+ (89) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.9:1 | 16.7:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.0% ✓ Higher | 19.9% |
| High School or Higher | 92.3% ✓ Higher | 86.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | J O Combs Unified School District (4445) | Warren Consolidated Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 65.6°F ✓ Warmer | 32.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 104.2°F ✓ Warmer | 83.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.6" ✓ Drier | 29.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 27.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 101,207 | 138,588 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 38.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 80.4% ✓ Higher | 71.1% |
| Under 18 | 28.3% ✓ More | 21.1% |
| Over 65 | 11.7% | 16.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
San Tan Valley's cost of living index is 100.0 vs Warren's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Warren is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, San Tan Valley leads 14 of 23 categories. San Tan Valley wins 14 and Warren wins 9. 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 San Tan Valley to Warren or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($304,000 vs $169,300 median home), income ($88,466 vs $61,633), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
San Tan Valley, AZ and Warren, MI are about 1,675 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.