Dearborn MI vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Dearborn +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Rochester
82.9%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Rochester
3.6%
Rochester +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Rochester
3.9%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 26,509 | Dearborn + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 38.7 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 7.1% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 82.9% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 3.6% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 3.9% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $344,633 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1992 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 36.4% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 34.0 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 28.3 min | Dearborn + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while dearborn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,262. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 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