Dearborn MI vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Wilmington
2.3%
Wilmington +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 35.6 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 10.7% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 48.7% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.3% | Wilmington + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Wilmington
$59,120
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $57,673 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $419,326 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 54.6% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1999 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Wilmington
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Dearborn +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.6% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 17.5% | Dearborn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | 63.8°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 58.4 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 23.2 min | Dearborn + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dearborn leads in median household income at $65,192, while dearborn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,262. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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