Dearborn MI vs New Bedford 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%
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Dearborn +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
New Bedford
20.7%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
New Bedford
57.5%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Dearborn +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 100,731 | Dearborn + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 37.0 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 20.7% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 57.5% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 6.0% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.5% | Dearborn + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
New Bedford
$30,475
New Bedford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Dearborn +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $56,025 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $30,475 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 7.6% | Dearborn + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 19.9% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 16.8% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $439,767 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 40.0% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Dearborn +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
New Bedford
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Dearborn +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 36.3% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 13.2% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 22.0% | Dearborn + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.1% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.0% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 21.4% | Dearborn + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | 51.8°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 51.9 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Bedford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 27.2 min | Dearborn + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dearborn leads in median household income at $65,192, while dearborn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,262. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Dearborn has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dearborn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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