Cost of Living in Warren, MI

Population 138,128 · Michigan · Data vintage 2023

72
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Warren offers a notably favorable income-to-housing ratio for its region. The typical home — $182,000 — costs less than 2.9 times median household income of $63,741, a threshold many coastal markets passed a decade ago. At 7.4%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Cost Overview

Housing 60
Rent 90

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Warren

The median home value in Warren is $181,900 — 40% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,184/month, 10% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $63,741/year is 15% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.4%, above the national average of 4.8%. Michigan's top state income tax rate is 4.3% and the combined sales tax is 6.0%. The climate averages highs of 58.7°F and lows of 42.3°F. Overall, Warren has a cost of living index of 72 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 28% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$181,900
40% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$195,561
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,184/mo
10% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,335/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.8x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.5%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$707
1 BR
$780
2 BR
$962
3 BR
$1,290
4 BR
$1,444
Owner-occupied 71.0%
Renter-occupied 29.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,184
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,798/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
27.0 min
0% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.4%
Carpooled
10.3%
Public transit
1.0%
Walked
0.7%
Bicycle
0.2%
Work from home
10.6%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 4.3%
Total Sales Tax 6.0%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 1.5%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$63,741
15% below avg
Per Capita Income
$32,162
Unemployment Rate
7.4%
54% above avg
Poverty Rate
12.8%
Labor Force Participation
64.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 13.5%
Graduate degree 6.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.9
Male median age 37
Female median age 39

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
58.7°F
Avg Low
42.3°F
Annual Precip
29.9"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 323545587079848174614837
Low °F 202128395060656456453426
Precip" 1.451.412.022.823.493.103.223.103.092.302.161.73

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 51 — Moderate
50%
Good air days/yr
195
Max AQI recorded
244
PM2.5 days
120
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

85.4%
4-Year Graduation Rate
18:1
Student-teacher ratio
43
Public schools
21,347
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Warren, MI?

Warren has a cost index of 72 (100 = national average). It is 28% below the national average.

What is average rent in Warren, MI?

The median gross rent in Warren is $1,184 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Warren?

The median home value in Warren is $181,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Warren?

The median household income in Warren is $63,741 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Warren, MI?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Warren is 6.0%. The Michigan state income tax top rate is 4.3%.

Is Warren, MI affordable?

Yes, Warren is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 72 — about 28% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Warren?

Warren has average high temperatures of 58.7°F and average lows of 42.3°F. Annual precipitation is 29.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Warren at a Glance

Population
138,128
Median Income
$63,741
Home Value
$181,900
Median Rent
$1,184/mo
Unemployment
7.4%
Avg High Temp
58.7°F
Sales Tax
6.0%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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