Dearborn MI vs Modesto CA — 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Modesto
35.4
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Modesto
18.7%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Modesto
50.8%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Modesto
4.7%
Modesto +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 218,614 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 35.4 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 18.7% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 50.8% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 4.7% | Modesto + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Dearborn +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $34,656 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 7.3% | Dearborn + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 20.3% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Modesto
58.4%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $447,353 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 58.4% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Dearborn +
Modesto
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Modesto
2388
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Dearborn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Modesto
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Modesto
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Modesto
19.0%
Modesto +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Modesto
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 36.2% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.1% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 19.0% | Modesto + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 13.0% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.5% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 13.7% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | 63.7°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Modesto + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 30.5 min | Dearborn + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while dearborn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,262. On public safety, Dearborn is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Dearborn has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dearborn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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