Charlotte NC vs Dearborn MI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Dearborn, MI
Michigan · Population: 107,846
- Median HH Income$65,192
- Median Home Price$248,262
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Dearborn
107,846
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Dearborn
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Dearborn
3.3%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Dearborn
2.0%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Dearborn
3.0%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Dearborn
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 107,846 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 32.6 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 29.4% | Dearborn + |
| White | 41.5% | 88.0% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 34.1% | 3.3% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 2.0% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 3.0% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Dearborn
$65,192
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Dearborn
$29,900
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Charlotte +
Dearborn
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Dearborn
6.8%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Dearborn
24.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Dearborn
34.3%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $65,192 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $29,900 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,052 | Charlotte + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.8% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 24.3% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 34.3% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $248,262 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 68.2% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Dearborn
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 471 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1590 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Dearborn
33.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Dearborn
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Dearborn
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Dearborn
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Dearborn
18.2%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 33.7% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 11.2% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 21.5% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.2% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 17.1% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 18.2% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 50.1°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 33.9 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Charlotte +
Dearborn
55.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charlotte + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 22.8 min | Dearborn + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while dearborn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,262. On public safety, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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