A+
6%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
21%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Dearborn Heights Michigan National
Cost of living9489100
Goods & Services10293100
Groceries10399100
Health care10293100
Housing7974100
Transportation10097100
Utilities94101100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Dearborn Heights, MI

Knowing the cost of living in Dearborn Heights allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Dearborn Heights stands at 94, marking it 6% lower than the national average.

Everyday expenditures like food, housing, goods and services, 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 33.8% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 10.5% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Dearborn Heights come in at $50,987, which is 7.8% lower than the national average.

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

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Dearborn Heights, healthcare costs are 2.2% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.

Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Dearborn Heights, the housing index is 20.5% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Dearborn Heights, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Dearborn Heights is 6% higher than the Michigan average
  • The cost of living in Dearborn Heights is 6% lower than the national average
  • Dearborn Heights housing is 21% 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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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$55,977$4,665$1,306$1,679
      Renters$37,216$3,101$868$1,117
      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 $55,977. Using that number, a maximum of $1,306 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $37,216, which means there is a maximum of $868 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%

      Goods & Services

      Item Dearborn Heights National avg. Difference
      Haircut $16.80$24.2630.8%
      Beauty Salon $24.78$45.5645.6%
      Toothpaste $3.66$3.701.1%
      Shampoo $1.13$1.2811.8%
      Movie $12.99$12.137.1%
      Bowling $12.33$18.0031.5%

      Groceries

      Item Dearborn Heights National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.75$5.841.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.41$1.5710.4%
      Milk $4.78$4.672.3%
      Potatoes $4.80$4.932.8%
      Pizza $8.99$12.0925.6%
      Beer $9.04$10.4113.2%

      Health Care

      Item Dearborn Heights National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $85.00$125.6832.4%
      Doctor $103.33$135.7823.9%
      Dentist $91.00$113.2919.7%
      Ibuprofen $10.22$10.654.1%
      Lipitor $490.11$468.604.6%

      Housing

      Item Dearborn Heights National avg. Difference
      Home Price $122,200.00$184,700.0033.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,709.07$2,346.6927.2%
      Apartment Rent $1,049.00$949.0010.5%

      Transportation

      Item Dearborn Heights National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.35$3.463.1%
      Tire Balancing $56.00$59.926.5%

      Utilities

      Item Dearborn Heights National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $219.20$193.9913.0%
      Phone $184.44$192.254.1%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      River Rouge, MI7,4658019.9%
      Highland Park, MI10,8188218.3%
      Ecorse, MI9,4568316.8%
      Detroit, MI672,3518415.5%
      Inkster, MI24,3988515.1%
      Dearborn Heights, MI55,630945.7%

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      Tamiami, FL55,75712525.2%
      Lake Havasu City, AZ55,46311010.1%
      Parker, CO55,46013838.2%
      Dearborn Heights, MI55,630945.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.