Dearborn MI vs Lansing MI — 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%
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Lansing
112,546
Lansing +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Lansing
33.5
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Lansing
10.1%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Lansing
56.1%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 112,546 | Lansing + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 33.5 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 10.1% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 56.1% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 23.4% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 12.9% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
Lansing
$52,170
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Dearborn +
Lansing
$29,894
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Lansing
$58,052
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Dearborn +
Lansing
8.1%
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
Lansing
29.6%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $52,170 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $29,894 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,052 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 8.1% | Dearborn + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 19.9% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 29.6% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Lansing
53.9%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 53.9% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Lansing
471
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Lansing
1590
Tie
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 471 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1590 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Lansing
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Lansing
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Lansing
19.6%
Lansing +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Lansing
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Lansing
16.4%
Lansing +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Lansing
16.8%
Lansing +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 39.9% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.4% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 19.6% | Lansing + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.3% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.4% | Lansing + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 16.8% | Lansing + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | 48.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 32.2 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Lansing
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 21.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dearborn leads in median household income at $65,192, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Lansing is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Dearborn has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Lansing has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.7 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