Chula Vista CA 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
Dearborn
107,846
Dearborn +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Dearborn
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Dearborn
3.3%
Dearborn +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Dearborn
2.0%
Dearborn +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Dearborn
3.0%
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Dearborn
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 107,846 | Dearborn + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 32.6 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 29.4% | Dearborn + |
| White | 65.7% | 88.0% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 0.7% | 3.3% | Dearborn + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 2.0% | Dearborn + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 3.0% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Dearborn
$65,192
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
Dearborn
$29,900
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
Dearborn
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Dearborn
6.8%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Dearborn
24.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $65,192 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $29,900 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 6.8% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 24.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 34.3% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Dearborn
68.2%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $248,262 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 68.2% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Dearborn
471
Dearborn +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 471 | Dearborn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1590 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Dearborn
33.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
Dearborn
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
Dearborn
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
Dearborn
18.2%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 33.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.2% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 21.5% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.2% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 17.1% | Chula Vista + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 18.2% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
Dearborn
33.9 in
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 50.1°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 33.9 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Chula Vista +
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Chula Vista +
Dearborn
55.0%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Chula Vista + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chula Vista + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 22.8 min | Dearborn + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, while dearborn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,262. On public safety, Dearborn is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Chula Vista has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
Compare More Cities
Chula Vista, CA vs New York, NYChula Vista, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Chula Vista, CAChula Vista, CA vs Houston, TXChula Vista, CA vs Phoenix, AZChula Vista, CA vs Philadelphia, PA