Dearborn MI vs Fort Wayne IN — 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 Wayne, IN
Indiana · Population: 266,235
- Median HH Income$60,293
- Median Home Price$245,993
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Fort Wayne
35.0
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Fort Wayne
9.0%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 266,235 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 35.0 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 9.0% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 66.4% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 14.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 10.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
Fort Wayne
28.5%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $60,293 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $32,884 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,697 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 15.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 28.5% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Fort Wayne
62.2%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $245,993 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 62.2% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Fort Wayne
1719
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 370 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1719 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 40.7% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 13.8% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 18.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.6% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 15.8% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | 50.5°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 38.3 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Fort Wayne +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Fort Wayne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Tie
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 22.8 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Dearborn leads in median household income at $65,192, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Fort Wayne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dearborn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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