Dearborn MI vs Des Moines IA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Dearborn, MI
Michigan · Population: 107,846
- Median HH Income$65,192
- Median Home Price$248,262
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Des Moines
34.6
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Des Moines
14.0%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Des Moines
66.9%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 212,464 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 34.6 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 14.0% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 66.9% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 12.0% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 6.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 16.0% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
Des Moines
$63,966
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
Des Moines
29.0%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $63,966 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $36,459 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $61,226 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 14.9% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 29.0% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Des Moines
60.5%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $210,703 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 60.5% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 296 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1452 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Des Moines
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Des Moines
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Des Moines
19.0%
Des Moines +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Des Moines
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Dearborn +
Des Moines
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Des Moines
16.4%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 39.4% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.8% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 19.0% | Des Moines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.6% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 19.8% | Dearborn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 16.4% | Des Moines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
Des Moines
35.6 in
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | 49.9°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 35.6 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Des Moines +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Des Moines
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Des Moines + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 21.1 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dearborn leads in median household income at $65,192, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Des Moines has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dearborn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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