Dearborn MI vs Seattle WA — 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%

Seattle, WA

Washington · Population: 741,440

  • Median HH Income$121,984
  • Median Home Price$871,599
  • Unemployment4.2%
  • Bachelor's+67.5%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Dearborn
107,846
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Seattle
19.9%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Seattle
8.2%
Seattle +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Seattle
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Seattle
44.3%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Seattle
3409

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Dearborn +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
Seattle
37.5 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
Seattle
28.8 min

Which City is Right for You?

Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while dearborn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,262. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.

Compare More Cities

About Dearborn & Seattle