Dearborn MI vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Dearborn +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Dearborn +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 102,866 | Dearborn + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 33.9 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 8.9% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 54.1% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.7% | Dearborn + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Dearborn +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
South Bend
22.6%
South Bend +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $52,512 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $29,511 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 22.6% | South Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 29.4% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
South Bend
58.8%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 58.8% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
South Bend
1719
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1719 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
South Bend
20.3%
South Bend +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
South Bend
18.2%
Tie
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 39.7% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 15.2% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 20.3% | South Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.6% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 18.2% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 38.0 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
South Bend +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | South Bend + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dearborn leads in median household income at $65,192, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and South Bend has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dearborn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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