Median rent is 33% lower in Dearborn Heights ($1,260/mo vs $1,879/mo). Buying is cheaper in Dearborn Heights, where the median home runs $174,900 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Los Angeles ($80,366 vs $61,035 a year).
City A
Dearborn Heights, MI
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Dearborn Heights, MI?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Dearborn Heights
Michigan
Los Angeles
California
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Dearborn Heights — median rent of $1,260/mo versus $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, a 33% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $879,500 versus $174,900 in Dearborn Heights — 80% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Michigan's top income tax rate is 4.25% versus 13.30% in California, so Dearborn Heights is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.00% in Michigan and 7.25% in California; Dearborn Heights has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Dearborn Heights
Income tax: 4.25%
Sales tax: 6.00%
Los Angeles
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Air quality data is available for Los Angeles (avg AQI 77.0) but not yet for Dearborn Heights.
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize higher median household income ($80,366/yr).
Pick Dearborn Heights if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,260/mo median).
Pick Dearborn Heights if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.25%).
Is Dearborn Heights cheaper than Los Angeles?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Dearborn Heights vs Los Angeles?
Median rent is $1,260/mo in Dearborn Heights, MI and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Dearborn Heights, MI has the lower rent by about 33%.
Which has higher salaries — Dearborn Heights or Los Angeles?
Median household income is $61,035 in Dearborn Heights, MI and $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Dearborn Heights or Los Angeles?
Michigan's top income tax rate is 4.25% and California's is 13.30%. Dearborn Heights, MI has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match my Dearborn Heights income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology