City Comparison
Dearborn vs Pontiac
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Dearborn scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dearborn
Pontiac
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Pontiac is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Dearborn.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dearborn's average rent is
16% higher than Pontiac's.
| Metric | Dearborn | Pontiac | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,250 | +16% |
| Groceries | $420 | $380 | +11% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $150 | -13% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,405 | $2,185 | +10% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 88 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dearborn offers 26% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Dearborn delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Dearborn is estimated at
$52,000 vs $48,000 in Pontiac.
| Metric | Dearborn | Pontiac |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $54,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,118 idx | 61,364 idx |
| Household Income | $61,250 | $46,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.6°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Pontiac sees 6.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dearborn | Pontiac |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.70°F | 49.10°F |
| Summer High | 82.30°F | 80.50°F |
| Winter Low | 17.90°F | 16.90°F |
| Rainfall | 35.70 in | 31.70 in |
| Snowfall | 30.40 in | 36.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 245 | 240 |
| Humidity | 67.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
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 | Pontiac |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 51.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dearborn is the larger city
— approximately 1.8x the population of Pontiac.
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 | Pontiac |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,758 | 61,606 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 5.80% |
| 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.
Pontiac
Advantages
Median home prices in Pontiac remain significantly below the Oakland County average per Zillow 2024 data.
Proximity to major regional employment corridors along the I-75 loop and Metro Detroit.
Abundant outdoor recreation access via the Clinton River Trail and local parks.
Active downtown revitalization and historic preservation efforts led by local stakeholders.
Diverse community culture with frequent local festivals and neighborhood events.
Drawbacks
Property crime rates in certain neighborhoods remain above the national average per FBI crime data.
Public transportation options outside of primary bus routes are limited, requiring car ownership.
Public school district performance metrics lag behind wealthier surrounding townships.
Certain commercial corridors feature vacant properties awaiting redevelopment.
State Equalized Value and property tax structures can create financial burdens for homeowners.
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
Pontiac
#551Michigan, USA
48.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
51.0/100
Sunny Days
240/yr
Avg Temp
49.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
5.80%
Livability
61
Business
63
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