Dearborn MI vs Johnson City TN — 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%
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Dearborn +
Johnson City
71,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Johnson City
35.1
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Johnson City
4.6%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Johnson City
84.0%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Johnson City
2.0%
Johnson City +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Johnson City
5.6%
Johnson City +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 71,455 | Dearborn + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 35.1 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 4.6% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 84.0% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 6.3% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.0% | Johnson City + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 5.6% | Johnson City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
Johnson City
$55,429
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $55,429 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $36,451 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,097 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.9% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 21.1% | Johnson City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 41.8% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Johnson City
$294,254
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Johnson City
49.8%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $294,254 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 49.8% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Dearborn +
Johnson City
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Johnson City
2350
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 639 | Dearborn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2350 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Johnson City
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Johnson City
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Johnson City
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Johnson City
17.4%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 36.2% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.7% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 21.1% | Johnson City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.9% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.3% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 17.4% | Johnson City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Johnson City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Johnson City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Johnson City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 20.3 min | Johnson City + |
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, Dearborn is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Johnson City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dearborn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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