Dearborn MI vs Elizabeth NJ — 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%
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Elizabeth
35.8
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Elizabeth
24.8%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Dearborn +
Elizabeth
1.8%
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 135,887 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 35.8 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 50.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 88.0% | 24.8% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 17.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.8% | Dearborn + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 66.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
Elizabeth
$63,874
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Dearborn +
Elizabeth
$28,490
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Dearborn +
Elizabeth
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
Elizabeth
14.2%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $63,874 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $28,490 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,416 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 6.9% | Dearborn + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 15.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 14.2% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Elizabeth
$531,592
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $531,592 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 25.4% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 218 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1426 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Elizabeth
34.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Elizabeth
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Elizabeth
28.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 34.8% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 13.7% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 17.8% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 28.1% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 15.0% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
Elizabeth
29.3 min
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 29.3 min | Dearborn + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dearborn leads in median household income at $65,192, while dearborn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,262. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Dearborn has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Elizabeth 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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