Dearborn MI vs Detroit MI — 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%
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Detroit
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Detroit
35.1
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Detroit
5.9%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Detroit
11.7%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Dearborn +
Detroit
1.6%
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Detroit
8.0%
Detroit +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Detroit
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 636,644 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 35.1 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 5.9% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 11.7% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 76.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.6% | Dearborn + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 8.0% | Detroit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
Detroit
$39,575
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Dearborn +
Detroit
$24,029
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Detroit
$58,052
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Dearborn +
Detroit
14.1%
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Dearborn +
Detroit
31.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
Detroit
17.6%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $39,575 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $24,029 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,052 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 14.1% | Dearborn + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 31.5% | Dearborn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 17.6% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Detroit
49.7%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $76,488 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 49.7% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Detroit
471
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Detroit
1590
Tie
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 471 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1590 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Detroit
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Detroit
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Dearborn +
Detroit
22.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Detroit
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Dearborn +
Detroit
21.8%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 45.6% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 19.2% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 22.6% | Dearborn + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.6% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 11.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 21.8% | Dearborn + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Detroit
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | 50.3°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 31.3 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Detroit
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
Detroit
27.3 min
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 27.3 min | Dearborn + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dearborn leads in median household income at $65,192, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Detroit is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Dearborn has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Detroit has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dearborn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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