Dearborn MI vs Fort Lauderdale FL — 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 Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Dearborn +
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 183,032 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 42.9 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 26.7% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 51.3% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 28.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.6% | Dearborn + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 20.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $79,935 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $57,845 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $65,328 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 15.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 39.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $510,297 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 53.8% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 324 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1453 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 30.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.8% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 16.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.7% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 13.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | 75.5°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 66.5 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 28.5 min | Dearborn + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while dearborn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,262. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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