City Comparison
Dearborn vs Detroit
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Dearborn scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dearborn
Detroit
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Detroit is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Dearborn.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dearborn's average rent is
18% higher than Detroit's.
| Metric | Dearborn | Detroit | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,225 | +18% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $397 | -56% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,405 | $2,142 | +12% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 100 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dearborn offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Dearborn | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $0 |
| Household Income | $61,250 | $39,938 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Detroit sees 0.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dearborn | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.70°F | 50.70°F |
| Summer High | 82.30°F | 82.00°F |
| Winter Low | 17.90°F | 18.50°F |
| Rainfall | 35.70 in | 33.30 in |
| Snowfall | 30.40 in | 31.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 245 | 245 |
| Humidity | 67.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Detroit has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
12,500 minutes (208 hours) per year compared to Dearborn.
Dearborn scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dearborn leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dearborn | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Detroit is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Dearborn.
From a growth perspective, Dearborn is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Dearborn has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Dearborn | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,758 | 650,499 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.22% |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 10.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Dearborn
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain more affordable than the national metropolitan average.
World-class culinary scene, renowned internationally for authentic Middle Eastern and diverse international cuisine.
Strong economic anchor provided by Ford Motor Company headquarters and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Rich cultural amenities, including the Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village, and numerous community parks.
Central geographic location within Metro Detroit offering seamless highway and rail connectivity.
Drawbacks
High reliance on automobile transportation, leading to traffic congestion on major corridors like Michigan Avenue.
Property tax rates in Wayne County can be higher compared to surrounding suburban counties.
Seasonal weather extremes include cold, snowy winters requiring dedicated winter maintenance.
Certain commercial areas experience parking shortages during peak shopping and festival hours.
Pockets of the city face urban infrastructure challenges common to older industrial Midwestern suburbs.
Detroit
Advantages
Detroit's population has grown for three consecutive years, indicating a positive trend in urban revitalization.
The cost of living in Detroit is comparable to the national average, with housing costs being significantly lower than many other major U.S. cities.
The city's economy is diversifying beyond automotive, with growth in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, and logistics.
Detroit's labor force expanded by 2.9% between May 2025 and May 2026, showing resilience and job opportunities.
The median age of 35.2 years suggests a relatively young and dynamic population.
Drawbacks
Detroit's unemployment rate remains elevated at 10.6% in Q1 2026, higher than the national average.
Median household income in Detroit is $39,938, which is considerably lower than the national median.
The city still faces a high poverty rate, reported at 32.7% in the 2020-2024 ACS.
Utility costs, particularly electricity, can be higher than the national average in Detroit.
Car dependency is medium, and public transit options, while improving, may not be as comprehensive as in some other major cities.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Dearborn
#354Michigan, USA
59.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
93
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
50.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
75
Business
70
Detroit
#589Michigan, USA
43.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,225
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
100
Commute
min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
50.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.22%
Unemployment
10.60%
Livability
65
Business
70
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