Dearborn MI vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Salem
12.2%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Salem
69.8%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Dearborn +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 35.7 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 12.2% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 69.8% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 1.6% | Dearborn + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 31.4% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $438,754 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 55.7% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3001 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 41.4% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.7% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.6% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | 53.0°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 39.7 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 24.5 min | Dearborn + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while dearborn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,262. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dearborn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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