Dearborn MI vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Washington
13.3%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 34.9 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 13.3% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 39.1% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Washington
6.5%
Washington +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 6.5% | Washington + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $580,173 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 41.1% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1999 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Dearborn +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 24.0% | Dearborn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 32.8 min | Dearborn + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while dearborn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,262. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Washington has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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