Dearborn MI vs Lake Charles 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%
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana · Population: 81,679
- Median HH Income$56,864
- Median Home Price$204,081
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Dearborn +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lake Charles +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 81,679 | Dearborn + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 36.2 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 4.7% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 47.3% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 4.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Dearborn +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Lake Charles
23.2%
Lake Charles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $56,864 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $35,847 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $55,297 | Dearborn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 23.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 29.4% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Lake Charles
61.1%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 61.1% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Dearborn +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lake Charles, 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 +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lake Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Lake Charles
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Lake Charles
18.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 45.6% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 16.2% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 19.7% | Lake Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.6% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 18.0% | Lake Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 62.4 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lake Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lake Charles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dearborn leads in median household income at $65,192, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Dearborn is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Lake Charles 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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