Dearborn MI vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 7.7% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 44.0% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 9.9% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $64,017 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 6.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 32.7% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $310,519 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 45.7% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Norfolk
1726
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1726 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Norfolk
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Norfolk
19.4%
Norfolk +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Norfolk
17.1%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 39.9% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.4% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 19.4% | Norfolk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.9% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 17.1% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | 60.6°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 50.8 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 24.4 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, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dearborn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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