Dearborn MI vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Dearborn +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Portland
11.1%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Portland
80.1%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Portland
3.1%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 68,505 | Dearborn + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 37.5 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 11.1% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 80.1% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 3.1% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $561,069 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 46.7% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Dearborn +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 18.3% | Dearborn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 47.3 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while dearborn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,262. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
Compare More Cities
Dearborn, MI vs New York, NYDearborn, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Dearborn, MIDearborn, MI vs Houston, TXDearborn, MI vs Phoenix, AZDearborn, MI vs Philadelphia, PA