Dearborn MI vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Worcester
23.2%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 34.1 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 23.2% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 58.0% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 34.1% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $435,532 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 42.4% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Worcester
19.9%
Worcester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Worcester
17.1%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 35.3% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.4% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 19.9% | Worcester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.7% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 17.1% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 48.1 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 27.3 min | Dearborn + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while dearborn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,262. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dearborn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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