Dearborn MI vs Kansas City 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%
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Kansas City
35.7
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Kansas City
8.5%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Kansas City
57.8%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 508,233 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 35.7 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 8.5% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 57.8% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 25.8% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.7% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 12.3% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Kansas City
$58,527
Kansas City +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $67,449 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $40,112 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,527 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 37.8% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Kansas City
$253,319
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Kansas City
54.6%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $253,319 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 54.6% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Dearborn +
Kansas City
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Kansas City
2418
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Kansas City, 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 +
Kansas City
38.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Kansas City
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Kansas City
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Kansas City
15.6%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 38.5% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.0% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 18.8% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.6% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.7% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 15.6% | Kansas City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Kansas City
54.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
Kansas City
38.9 in
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | 54.6°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 38.9 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Kansas City
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
Kansas City
23.4 min
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 23.4 min | Dearborn + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, 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 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Kansas City 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%.
Compare More Cities
Dearborn, MI vs New York, NYDearborn, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Dearborn, MIDearborn, MI vs Houston, TXDearborn, MI vs Phoenix, AZDearborn, MI vs Philadelphia, PA