Dearborn MI vs Knoxville 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%
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 193,721
- Median HH Income$50,994
- Median Home Price$371,202
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Knoxville
33.3
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Knoxville
7.0%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Knoxville
72.2%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Dearborn +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Knoxville
7.5%
Knoxville +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 193,721 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 33.3 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 7.0% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 72.2% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 15.7% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.6% | Dearborn + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 7.5% | Knoxville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Knoxville
20.5%
Knoxville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
Knoxville
33.7%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $50,994 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $33,171 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,097 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 20.5% | Knoxville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 33.7% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Knoxville
$371,202
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Knoxville
46.6%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $371,202 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 46.6% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Dearborn +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Knoxville
2350
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Knoxville, 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 +
Knoxville
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Knoxville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Dearborn +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Knoxville
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Knoxville
17.8%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 36.0% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.6% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 22.0% | Dearborn + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.9% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.8% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 17.8% | Knoxville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Knoxville
57.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | 57.8°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 51.9 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 22.0 min | Knoxville + |
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 Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Knoxville 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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