Dearborn MI vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Surprise
75.0%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Surprise
4.8%
Surprise +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 41.6 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 6.8% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 75.0% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 4.8% | Surprise + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.6% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 31.0% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $422,520 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 450 | Surprise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2150 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Surprise
11.2%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.2% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.5% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 32.8 min | Dearborn + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while dearborn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,262. On public safety, Surprise is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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