Detroit MI vs Warren MI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
Warren, MI
Michigan · Population: 138,128
- Median HH Income$63,741
- Median Home Price$200,632
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+20.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Warren
138,128
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Warren
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Warren
37.9
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Warren
13.7%
Warren +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Warren
60.8%
Warren +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Warren
20.9%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Warren
11.9%
Warren +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Detroit +
Warren
2.8%
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Warren
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 138,128 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.9 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 13.7% | Warren + |
| White | 11.7% | 60.8% | Warren + |
| Black | 76.8% | 20.9% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 11.9% | Warren + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 2.8% | Detroit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Warren
$63,741
Warren +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Warren
$32,162
Warren +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Warren
$58,052
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Warren
7.4%
Warren +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Warren
12.8%
Warren +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Warren
20.4%
Warren +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $63,741 | Warren + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $32,162 | Warren + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,052 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 7.4% | Warren + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 12.8% | Warren + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 20.4% | Warren + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Warren
$200,632
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Warren
71.0%
Warren +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $200,632 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 71.0% | Warren + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Warren
471
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Warren
1590
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 471 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1590 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Warren
39.1%
Warren +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Warren
12.5%
Warren +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Warren
18.9%
Warren +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Warren
8.1%
Warren +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Warren
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Warren
18.0%
Warren +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 39.1% | Warren + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.5% | Warren + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 18.9% | Warren + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 8.1% | Warren + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.7% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 18.0% | Warren + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Warren
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Warren
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Warren
10.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Warren
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Warren
26.9 min
Warren +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 26.9 min | Warren + |
Which City is Right for You?
Warren leads in median household income at $63,741, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Warren is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Warren has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Warren has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Warren scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.1%.
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