Dearborn MI vs Indianapolis 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%
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Indianapolis
34.1
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Indianapolis
11.6%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Indianapolis
53.6%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 34.1 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 11.6% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 53.6% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 28.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 4.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 13.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
Indianapolis
$62,995
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Indianapolis
$58,697
Indianapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
Indianapolis
34.2%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $62,995 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $36,194 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,697 | Indianapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 15.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 34.2% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Indianapolis
55.3%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 55.3% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Indianapolis
1719
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 370 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1719 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
Indianapolis
41.8 in
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 41.8 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Indianapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Indianapolis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Indianapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
Indianapolis
25.8 min
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 25.8 min | Dearborn + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dearborn leads in median household income at $65,192, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Indianapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³).
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