Dearborn MI vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Virginia Beach +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 37.4 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 9.1% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 61.6% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 8.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Virginia Beach
64.9%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $427,121 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 64.9% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Virginia Beach
1726
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1726 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 36.5% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.8% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.3% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 25.0 min | Dearborn + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while dearborn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,262. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dearborn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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