Dearborn MI vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 114,799 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 35.5 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 88.0% | 50.9% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 29.9% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $484,226 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 44.0% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Lowell
8.2%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 18.5% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.2% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 14.1% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 47.0 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 30.1 min | Dearborn + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while dearborn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,262. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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