Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Allen, TX
VS
Dearborn, MI
🏆 Allen leads 14 of 23 categories
Allen
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$121,259 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
28 ✓ Safer
Population
105,444
Dearborn
Michigan
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,600
Violent Crime Index
77
Population
108,414 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Allen, TX
Pros
Households earn $56,659 more per year on average
64% less violent crime than Dearborn
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.5 pts lower (4.3%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (106.4 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 55.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 32°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $390,200
Higher rents — median is $1,747/mo
Cost of living runs 5% higher than Dearborn
Dearborn, MI
Pros
Homes cost $201k less ($189,400 vs $390,200)
Rent averages $542/mo less ($1,205 vs $1,747)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 95°F
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Allen
Cons
Median income trails Allen by $56,659/yr
Higher unemployment (6.8% vs 4.3%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Allen
Median Income
$56,659
$121,259 vs $64,600/yr
Allen
Violent Crime
64% lower
106.4 vs 292.6 per 100k
Allen
Unemployment
2.5 pp lower
4.3% vs 6.8% unemployment
Allen
Summer Heat
11.4°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 83.6°F
Dearborn
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Dearborn
Median Home Value
$201k less
$189,400 vs $390,200
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Allen, TX | Dearborn, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $390,200⚠ High | $189,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,747⚠ High | $1,205 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $121,259 ✓ Higher | $64,600 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.0 min | 21.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 21.4% ✓ Higher | 9.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 34 ✓ Safer | 84 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 28 ✓ Safer | 77 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 42 ✓ Safer | 95 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (125) ✓ Better | B+ (107) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.2:1 | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 55.2% ✓ Higher | 34.8% |
| High School or Higher | 95.8% ✓ Higher | 85.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ALLEN ISD | Dearborn City School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.5°F ✓ Warmer | 32.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer | 83.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 40.8" | 35.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.6" ✓ Less | 30.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 105,444 | 108,414 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.8 ✓ Older | 32.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 70.9% ✓ Higher | 69.1% |
| Under 18 | 25.9% | 28.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 10.4% | 12.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Allen's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Dearborn's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Dearborn is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Allen leads 14 of 23 categories. Allen wins 14 and Dearborn wins 9. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Allen to Dearborn or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($390,200 vs $189,400 median home), income ($121,259 vs $64,600), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Allen, TX and Dearborn, MI are about 970 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.