Dearborn MI vs Joliet IL — 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%
Joliet, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,785
- Median HH Income$88,026
- Median Home Price$264,637
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Joliet
35.3
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Joliet
15.2%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Joliet
52.7%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Joliet
2.1%
Joliet +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 149,785 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 35.3 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 15.2% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 52.7% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.1% | Joliet + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $35,820 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.8% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 25.0% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Joliet
$264,637
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $264,637 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Joliet
1842
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1842 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Joliet
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Dearborn +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 41.9% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.7% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 17.7% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 13.9% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 19.1% | Dearborn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 14.0% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Joliet
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
Joliet
36.8 in
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | 50.6°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 36.8 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Joliet +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Joliet
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Joliet + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 31.7 min | Dearborn + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while dearborn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,262. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Joliet has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dearborn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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