Moving from Detroit, MI to Warren, MI
Moving from Detroit, MI to Warren, MI is a 13 mi drive, about 20 min by car. This is a local relocation β same-day moves are typical β but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
13 mi Β· 20 min by car Β· MI
Distance & route
| Route through | MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, I 696, M 8 |
| Major cities en route | Dearborn, Sterling Heights |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Detroit | Warren | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.298 | 100.298 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.988 | 106.988 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 98.817 | 98.817 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.69 | 94.69 | 100.0 |
Warren and Detroit are close on the overall BEA RPP (100.298 vs 100.298); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Warren typical home at $196,785 is 0.0% above Detroit at $75,358 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Detroit -3.0%, Warren +2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Detroit | Warren |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.9" | 29.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 50.3Β°F vs 50.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DEARBORN #2, MI US, DETROIT CITY AP, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Detroit | Warren |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 138,128 |
| Median household income | $39,575 | $63,741 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 37.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10.5% | 13.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.55 |
Median household income in Warren is 0.0% above Detroit ($39,575 vs $63,741, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Warren MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 224,810 | $45,600 |
| Production Occupations | 186,670 | $44,740 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 165,670 | $40,090 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 160,290 | $36,830 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 153,090 | $30,480 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Lake-effect snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Detroit to Warren?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 13 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Warren compare to Detroit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Warren MSA vs $48,950 in the Detroit MSA, on total employment of 1,900,180 and 1,900,180 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Detroit vs Warren?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,741 in Warren vs $39,575 in Detroit β a 61.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Warren compared to Detroit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $196,785 in Warren vs $75,358 in Detroit β a 161.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Warren, MI from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance is 13 mi and the route typically takes 20 min via I 75 and I 696. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Detroit.
City profiles: Detroit, MI Β· Warren, MI.