2027 MNM LIVABILITY INDEX

Warren

Michigan (MI)

Best for: Value-focused Metro Detroit households prioritizing homeownership and manufacturing jobs

2027 CITY CLASSMedium City100,000–299,999 residents

Modern Livability78.3/ 100

AT A GLANCE

Everyday numbers

Population137,138

Median Home$193,400

Median Rent$1,225

Median Household Income$64,016

Cost of LivingRPP 100.3 (US=100; BEA 2024)

Average Commute24.0 min

Unemployment5.8% (BLS 2024 annual avg)

Metro AreaDetroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI

2027 MODERN LIVABILITY SCORECARD

How this city actually lives

Twelve dimensions capture both hard data and the everyday experience traditional lists tend to miss.

78.3overall

Housing & Financial Reality90.0

Housing burden, taxes, insurance, utilities and what local incomes actually buy.

Ease of Living86.0

Errands, commute friction, parking, services and the effort required for daily life.

Safety & Stability78.0

Personal, neighborhood, road and environmental stability.

Economic Opportunity75.0

Jobs, wages, career mobility, employer diversity and economic resilience.

Health & Wellness76.0

Healthcare access, activity, mental wellness, healthy food and environmental health.

Beauty & Sense of Place78.0

Scenery, architecture, trees, cleanliness, public realm and distinct sense of place.

Mobility & Congestion71.0

Traffic delay, commute reliability, walking, cycling and transit usefulness.

Nature & Escape70.0

Trails, water, mountains, parks, public lands and how easily residents can escape.

Diversity & Belonging82.0

Diversity, integration, accessibility, newcomer friendliness and community connection.

Climate & Environment70.0

Comfortable weather, air quality, severe weather and environmental exposure.

Community & Culture79.0

Restaurants, arts, events, third places, recreation and social life.

Infrastructure & Connectivity82.0

Broadband, utilities, airport, highways, transit and essential connectivity.

THE THINGS OLD-SCHOOL LISTS MISS

What daily life feels like

Traffic / CongestionModerate. Peak-hour slowdowns occur on major corridors, but many everyday trips remain manageable.

Weekend EscapeGood to very good. Parks and regional day-trip destinations provide useful weekend variety.

WalkabilityAbout 43/100 citywide Walk Score. The city is generally car-dependent, so neighborhood choice strongly affects daily convenience.

Airport AccessGood to excellent. Regional airport access is practical, with larger nearby hubs expanding domestic and international options where needed.

Outdoor AccessGood to very good. Local parks, trails and regional recreation provide meaningful outdoor options.

Healthcare AccessStrong to excellent. Major hospitals, outpatient networks and specialty providers offer practical routine and advanced-care access.

Air QualityGenerally manageable, with seasonal pollen, ozone, smoke or weather-related episodes as the main concerns.

Third Places / Social LifeGood to very good. Restaurants, parks, cafés, libraries and community events provide regular gathering places.

EDITORIAL VIEW

More than a number

Trajectory: Repositioning

WHY IT STANDS OUT

Why we chose it

Warren is included in the 2027 MNM Livability Index as the #213 most populous U.S. city in the Census Bureau's 2025 estimates. Its strongest advantages are affordable homeownership; manufacturing; detroit access; short commutes; established neighborhoods. The clearest tradeoffs are winter; aging housing stock; car dependence; manufacturing-cycle exposure. The MNM profile balances housing, everyday ease, safety, opportunity, wellness, beauty, mobility, nature, belonging, climate, culture and infrastructure rather than relying on a single headline metric.

REAL LIFE

What living here actually feels like

Warren feels shaped by affordable homeownership and its broader metro detroit setting. Neighborhood choice has a meaningful effect on commute, walkability, housing cost and overall day-to-day experience.

STRENGTHS