Dearborn MI vs Durham NC — 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%
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Durham
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Durham
34.8
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Durham
15.3%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Durham
44.0%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Durham
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 288,465 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 34.8 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 15.3% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 44.0% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 34.4% | Durham + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 5.6% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 14.7% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Durham
$59,120
Durham +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $79,234 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $47,246 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Durham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.2% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 12.2% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 55.7% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Durham
$399,509
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Durham
51.8%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $399,509 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 51.8% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Durham
398
Durham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Durham
1999
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 398 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1999 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Durham
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Durham
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 36.8% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.2% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 16.2% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.7% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.6% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 11.2% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Durham
57.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
Durham
47.8 in
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | 57.9°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 47.8 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Durham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Durham
75.0%
Durham +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Durham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
Durham
24.3 min
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 24.3 min | Dearborn + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while dearborn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,262. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Durham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dearborn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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