Dearborn MI vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Dearborn +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 34.8 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 88.0% | 16.5% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.9% | Dearborn + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Dearborn +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Dearborn +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Dearborn +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $48,416 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $25,509 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 10.9% | Dearborn + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 24.7% | Dearborn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 17.4% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $482,675 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 24.1% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Newark
20.0%
Newark +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Newark
18.2%
Tie
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 35.9% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.6% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 20.0% | Newark + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 23.4% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 18.2% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | 54.9°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 46.3 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Dearborn has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dearborn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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