Dearborn MI vs Sunnyvale CA — 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Sunnyvale
153,455
Sunnyvale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Sunnyvale
35.1
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Dearborn +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 153,455 | Sunnyvale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 35.1 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 88.0% | 30.4% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 1.5% | Dearborn + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $2,144,024 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 43.8% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Dearborn +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Dearborn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Sunnyvale, CA | 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
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sunnyvale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 25.3 min | Dearborn + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while dearborn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,262. On public safety, Dearborn is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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