Dearborn MI vs Downey CA — 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%
Downey, CA
California · Population: 114,617
- Median HH Income$68,378
- Median Home Price$888,820
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+10.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Downey
114,617
Downey +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Downey
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Downey
34.0
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Downey
21.0%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Dearborn +
Downey
0.4%
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Dearborn +
Downey
1.5%
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Downey
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 114,617 | Downey + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 34.0 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 39.4% | Downey + |
| White | 88.0% | 21.0% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 0.4% | Dearborn + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.5% | Dearborn + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 95.6% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Dearborn +
Downey
$23,265
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
Downey
10.6%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $68,378 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $23,265 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 6.0% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 16.6% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 10.6% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Downey
$888,820
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Downey
33.7%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $888,820 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 33.7% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Dearborn +
Downey
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Downey
2388
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Dearborn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Downey
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Downey
14.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 27.6% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.8% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 16.1% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.8% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.1% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 9.9% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Downey
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 14.3 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Downey
75.0%
Downey +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Downey + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
Downey
33.1 min
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 33.1 min | Dearborn + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, 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 Downey. Downey has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Downey has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Downey scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.6%.
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