City Comparison
Dearborn vs Southfield
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Southfield scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dearborn
Southfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Dearborn | Southfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,450 | 0% |
| Groceries | $420 | $410 | +2% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $130 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $240 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,405 | $2,405 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dearborn offers similar 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 $52,000 in Southfield.
| Metric | Dearborn | Southfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,118 idx | 70,833 idx |
| Household Income | $61,250 | $74,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.90000000000001°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Southfield sees 6.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dearborn | Southfield |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.70°F | 49.80°F |
| Summer High | 82.30°F | 82.00°F |
| Winter Low | 17.90°F | 17.40°F |
| Rainfall | 35.70 in | 32.40 in |
| Snowfall | 30.40 in | 36.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 245 | 246 |
| Humidity | 67.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 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 | Southfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dearborn is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Southfield.
From a growth perspective, Dearborn is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Southfield has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Dearborn | Southfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,758 | 76,500 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 42.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| 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.
Southfield
Advantages
Strategic location in Oakland County with direct access to major freeways like I-696 and US-10
Robust commercial hub hosting numerous corporate headquarters and professional service firms
Diverse and welcoming community with strong cultural representation and active local engagement
Excellent healthcare infrastructure anchored by Ascension Providence Hospital
More affordable housing options compared to neighboring affluent Oakland County communities
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited walkability and transit scores outside central corridors
Property tax rates can be relatively high compared to some surrounding townships
Traffic congestion along major commuter arteries during peak rush hours
Varying crime rates and safety profiles depending on the specific neighborhood
Older housing stock in some areas may require significant maintenance or updates
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
Southfield
#282Michigan, USA
61.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
246/yr
Avg Temp
49.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
73
Business
70
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