A+
8%
Overall NAT. AVG.
4%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
19%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Dearborn Heights Michigan National
Cost of living9291100
Groceries9698100
Health care9997100
Housing8176100
Transportation9596100
Utilities101100100
Lifestyle & Entertainment9496100
Household Items10098100
Education & Childcare9395100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Dearborn Heights, MI

The cost of living in Dearborn Heights affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Dearborn Heights is 92, which is 8% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

Everyday expenditures like food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care in Dearborn Heights are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Dearborn Heights can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

Is Dearborn Heights Affordable?

Is Dearborn Heights an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Dearborn Heights, the median home price is 31.4% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 9.4% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Dearborn Heights come in at $75,947, which is 6.6% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Dearborn Heights?

Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Dearborn Heights, healthcare costs are 1.4% lower than the national average.

Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Dearborn Heights comes in at 1.1% higher than the national average.

Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Dearborn Heights, the groceries index is 3.7% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Dearborn Heights cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Dearborn Heights is 1% higher than the Michigan average
  • The cost of living in Dearborn Heights is 8% lower than the national average
  • Dearborn Heights housing is 19% lower than the national average
  • Michigan general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • Michigan state income tax is 64% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Dearborn Heights

See all the best places to live around Dearborn Heights

Compare Dearborn Heights, MI Cost of Living

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      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$83,687$6,974$1,953$2,511
      Renters$56,454$4,705$1,317$1,694
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Dearborn Heights, MI, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Dearborn Heights, homeowners have a median income of $83,687. Using that number, a maximum of $1,953 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $56,454, which means there is a maximum of $1,317 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      Michigan Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Michigan 6% 6%

      Michigan Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Michigan 4.25% 4.25%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      River Rouge, MI7,7567921.5%
      Highland Park, MI11,0568020.3%
      Ecorse, MI9,6848218.3%
      Detroit, MI692,0448217.6%
      Inkster, MI25,3338217.5%
      Dearborn Heights, MI57,763928.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Tinley Park, IL57,74611010.4%
      Tamiami, FL57,78712726.7%
      Pocatello, ID57,833955.3%
      Valdosta, GA57,835928.0%
      Lake Havasu City, AZ57,66911111.2%
      Dearborn Heights, MI57,763928.0%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.