Dearborn MI vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
North Charleston
34.3
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 117,460 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 34.3 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 12.2% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 39.1% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Dearborn +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $62,789 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $54,550 | Dearborn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 28.0% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $313,219 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 48.5% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1999 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Dearborn +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 35.2% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 13.2% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 15.3% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 19.8% | Dearborn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 26.8 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, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dearborn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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