Median rent is 19% lower in Detroit ($1,074/mo vs $1,327/mo). Buying is cheaper in Detroit, where the median home runs $83,900 versus $218,800. Households earn more in Dearborn ($65,324 vs $39,938 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (98.2).
City A
Dearborn, MI
City B
Detroit, MI
How much would you need to earn in Detroit, MI to maintain your standard of living from Dearborn, MI?
Equivalent salary in Detroit, MI
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Dearborn
Michigan
Detroit
Michigan
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Detroit at $1,074/mo compared to $1,327/mo in Dearborn (19% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Dearborn: the median home is $218,800 versus $83,900 in Detroit — 62% more expensive.
Metric
Dearborn
Detroit
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Dearborn
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Detroit
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Detroit (avg AQI 51.0) but not yet for Dearborn.
Pick Dearborn if you prioritize higher median household income ($65,324/yr).
Pick Detroit if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,074/mo median).
Dearborn is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.2 versus 98.2 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Dearborn.
Median rent is $1,327/mo in Dearborn, MI and $1,074/mo in Detroit, MI. Detroit, MI has the lower rent by about 19%.
Median household income is $65,324 in Dearborn, MI and $39,938 in Detroit, MI. Dearborn, MI has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Dearborn, MI is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Detroit, MI (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
