Dearborn MI vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Lexington
69.9%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 35.2 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 11.0% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 69.9% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 9.2% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Dearborn +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $52,606 | Dearborn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $332,727 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 53.6% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | 55.6°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 45.2 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while dearborn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,262. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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