Dearborn MI vs Richmond 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Richmond
34.5
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Richmond
2.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 34.5 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 8.6% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 43.2% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 10.3% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $62,671 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 6.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $374,265 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 43.5% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Richmond
1726
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1726 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Richmond
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Richmond
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 36.7% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.3% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.7% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.2% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | 58.9°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 43.6 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
Richmond
23.6 min
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 23.6 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, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Richmond 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%.
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