Dearborn MI vs Schenectady NY — 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%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Dearborn +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Schenectady
86.7%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Dearborn +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Schenectady
4.7%
Schenectady +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 28,542 | Dearborn + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 42.3 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 6.8% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 86.7% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 3.1% | Dearborn + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 4.7% | Schenectady + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Schenectady
57.5%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $321,835 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 57.5% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Schenectady
1736
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 434 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1736 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Schenectady
19.2%
Schenectady +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Schenectady
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Schenectady
16.9%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 38.6% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.3% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 19.2% | Schenectady + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.7% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 16.9% | Schenectady + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Schenectady + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 26.2 min | Dearborn + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while dearborn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,262. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Schenectady 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%.
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