Dearborn MI vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Independence
5.3%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Independence
72.2%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Dearborn +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 121,944 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 38.4 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 5.3% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 72.2% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 10.8% | Independence + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.4% | Dearborn + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 12.4% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
Independence
$59,480
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $59,480 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $31,683 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,527 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 6.0% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 20.9% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Independence
61.0%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 61.0% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Dearborn +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 501 | Dearborn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2418 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Independence
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Independence
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Independence
19.9%
Independence +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Independence
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Dearborn +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 37.3% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.9% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 19.9% | Independence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.5% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.8% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 18.4% | Dearborn + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Independence
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
Independence
43.7 in
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | 54.5°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 43.7 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Independence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Independence
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Independence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 25.5 min | Dearborn + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dearborn leads in median household income at $65,192, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Dearborn is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Independence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dearborn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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