Dearborn MI vs Houston TX — 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Houston
34.3
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Houston
28.8%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 34.3 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 28.8% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 35.5% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $62,894 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,758 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 6.7% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 19.7% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Houston
$265,062
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $265,062 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 42.0% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Houston
442
Houston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Houston
2339
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 442 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2339 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 38.0% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 13.9% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 24.0% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.7% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 13.6% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 48.7 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Houston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 29.6 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, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dearborn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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