Dearborn MI vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 35.1 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 14.6% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 36.1% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Dearborn +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Philadelphia
22.0%
Philadelphia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $60,698 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 8.4% | Dearborn + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 22.0% | Philadelphia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 52.3% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Philadelphia
1613
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1613 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | 57.1°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 48.5 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Philadelphia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Philadelphia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 34.5 min | Dearborn + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dearborn leads in median household income at $65,192, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Dearborn has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Philadelphia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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