Dearborn MI vs Hartford CT — 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%
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Hartford
119,970
Hartford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Hartford
33.4
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Hartford
23.0%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Hartford
2.3%
Hartford +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 119,970 | Hartford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 33.4 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 23.0% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 26.4% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.3% | Hartford + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Dearborn +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Dearborn +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Dearborn +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $45,300 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $27,319 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 10.6% | Dearborn + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 25.5% | Dearborn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 18.3% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 25.8% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Hartford
20.8%
Hartford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Hartford
16.3%
Hartford +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 40.4% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 15.8% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 20.8% | Hartford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 20.3% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 16.3% | Hartford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Hartford
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
Hartford
45.9 in
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | 50.6°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 45.9 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
Hartford
24.4 min
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 24.4 min | Dearborn + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dearborn leads in median household income at $65,192, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Dearborn has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dearborn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
Compare More Cities
Dearborn, MI vs New York, NYDearborn, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Dearborn, MIDearborn, MI vs Houston, TXDearborn, MI vs Phoenix, AZDearborn, MI vs Philadelphia, PA