Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Dearborn, MI
VS
Durham, NC
🏆 Durham leads 12 of 23 categories
Dearborn
Michigan
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$64,600
Violent Crime Index
77 ✓ Safer
Population
108,414
Durham
North Carolina
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
96.6 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$74,710 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
163⚠ High
Population
284,094 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Dearborn, MI
Pros
Homes cost $127k less ($189,400 vs $316,600)
53% less violent crime than Durham
Rent averages $91/mo less ($1,205 vs $1,296)
Cons
Median income trails Durham by $10,110/yr
Higher unemployment (6.8% vs 4.3%)
Durham, NC
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.5 pts lower (4.3%)
More college-educated — 53.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $10,110 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 49°F vs 32°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $316,600
Violent crime (619.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3799.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Dearborn
Violent Crime
53% lower
292.6 vs 619.2 per 100k
Dearborn
Median Home Value
$127k less
$189,400 vs $316,600
Durham
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 96.6 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Durham
Median Income
$10,110
$74,710 vs $64,600/yr
Durham
Unemployment
2.5 pp lower
4.3% vs 6.8% unemployment
Durham
Summer Heat
3.4°F warmer
July avg high 87.0°F vs 83.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Durham, NC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 | 96.6 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $189,400 ✓ Lower | $316,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,205 ✓ Lower | $1,296 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,600 | $74,710 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8%⚠ High | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.3 min ✓ Shorter | 22.3 min |
| Work From Home % | 9.9% | 17.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 84 ✓ Safer | 170⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 77 ✓ Safer | 163⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 95 ✓ Safer | 181⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) | A- (115) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.8% | 53.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 85.1% | 91.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Dearborn City School District | Durham Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 32.0°F | 48.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.6°F | 87.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.0" ✓ Drier | 50.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 30.8" | 5.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 108,414 | 284,094 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.3 | 34.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.1% ✓ Higher | 52.0% |
| Under 18 | 28.6% ✓ More | 20.1% |
| Over 65 | 12.9% ✓ More | 12.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Dearborn's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Durham's 96.6 (US average = 100).
Durham is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Durham leads 12 of 23 categories. Dearborn wins 11 and Durham wins 12. 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 Dearborn to Durham or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($189,400 vs $316,600 median home), income ($64,600 vs $74,710), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Dearborn, MI and Durham, NC are about 495 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.