Dearborn Heights, MI vs Madison Heights, MI

Dearborn Heights, MI and Madison Heights, MI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.9% difference in their overall index. Dearborn Heights scores 87 while Madison Heights scores 84 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Dearborn Heights is $1,260/month compared to $1,138/month in Madison Heights — a 11% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Madison Heights has cheaper rent, Dearborn Heights actually has lower median home values ($174,900 vs $190,300).

Median household income in Dearborn Heights is $61,035 compared to $66,726 in Madison Heights (-8.5%). Madison Heights offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Dearborn Heights spend roughly 24.8% of their income on rent, more than the 20.5% in Madison Heights.