Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Dearborn, MI
VS
Portland, OR
🏆 Dearborn leads 12 of 23 categories
Dearborn
Michigan
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,600
Violent Crime Index
77 ✓ Safer
Population
108,414
Portland
Oregon
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$85,876 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
190⚠ High
Population
646,101 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Dearborn, MI
Pros
Homes cost $334k less ($189,400 vs $523,100)
59% less violent crime than Portland
Rent averages $325/mo less ($1,205 vs $1,530)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Portland
Cons
Median income trails Portland by $21,276/yr
Higher unemployment (6.8% vs 5.6%)
Portland, OR
Pros
Households earn $21,276 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (5.6%)
More college-educated — 52.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 47°F vs 32°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $523,100
Violent crime (720.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,530/mo
Property crime (5526.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Dearborn
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 106.6 (100 = US avg)
Dearborn
Violent Crime
59% lower
292.6 vs 720.1 per 100k
Dearborn
Median Home Value
$334k less
$189,400 vs $523,100
Dearborn
Summer Heat
3.3°F warmer
July avg high 83.6°F vs 80.3°F
Portland
Median Income
$21,276
$85,876 vs $64,600/yr
Portland
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
5.6% vs 6.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Portland, OR |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper | 106.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $189,400 ✓ Lower | $523,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,205 ✓ Lower | $1,530⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,600 | $85,876 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8%⚠ High | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.3 min ✓ Shorter | 24.8 min |
| Work From Home % | 9.9% | 22.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 84 ✓ Safer | 219⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 77 ✓ Safer | 190⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 95 ✓ Safer | 263⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) | A- (112) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.8% | 52.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 85.1% | 93.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Dearborn City School District | Portland SD 1J |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 32.0°F | 46.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.6°F ✓ Warmer | 80.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.0" ✓ Drier | 44.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 30.8" | 3.6" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 108,414 | 646,101 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.3 | 38.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.1% ✓ Higher | 53.3% |
| Under 18 | 28.6% ✓ More | 16.8% |
| Over 65 | 12.9% | 14.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Dearborn's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Portland's 106.6 (US average = 100).
Dearborn is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Dearborn leads 12 of 23 categories. Dearborn wins 12 and Portland wins 11. 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 Portland or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($189,400 vs $523,100 median home), income ($64,600 vs $85,876), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Dearborn, MI and Portland, OR are about 1,955 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.