Dearborn MI vs Fort Collins CO — 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%
Fort Collins, CO
Colorado · Population: 169,705
- Median HH Income$83,598
- Median Home Price$568,389
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+59.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Fort Collins
6.6%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Fort Collins
81.7%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Dearborn +
Fort Collins
1.4%
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Fort Collins
3.4%
Fort Collins +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Collins +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 169,705 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 30.6 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 6.6% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 81.7% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 1.4% | Dearborn + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 12.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Fort Collins
16.0%
Fort Collins +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $83,598 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $46,341 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $76,653 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 16.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 59.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Fort Collins
$568,389
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Fort Collins
52.1%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $568,389 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 52.1% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Dearborn +
Fort Collins
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Fort Collins
3234
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 512 | Dearborn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3234 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Fort Collins
18.7%
Fort Collins +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Fort Collins
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Dearborn +
Fort Collins
20.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 23.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 6.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 18.7% | Fort Collins + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.4% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 20.3% | Dearborn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 9.9% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | 50.3°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 16.1 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fort Collins + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 21.8 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, 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 512 in Fort Collins. Fort Collins has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Fort Collins has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Collins scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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