Dearborn MI vs Lafayette LA — 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%
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Lafayette
59.1%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Lafayette
7.6%
Lafayette +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 121,537 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 37.1 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 6.6% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 59.1% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 28.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.1% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 7.6% | Lafayette + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
Lafayette
$61,454
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Dearborn +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $61,454 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $39,861 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $55,297 | Dearborn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 19.1% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Lafayette
55.0%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 55.0% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Dearborn +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 643 | Dearborn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2824 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Lafayette
34.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Lafayette
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Dearborn +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Lafayette
16.1%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 34.5% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.0% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 18.4% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.3% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 17.8% | Dearborn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 16.1% | Lafayette + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | 67.6°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 61.0 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dearborn leads in median household income at $65,192, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Dearborn is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Lafayette 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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