Albany GA vs Sterling Heights MI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Albany
18.9%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Albany +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 41.5 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 18.9% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 76.3% | 6.6% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 2.4% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Sterling Heights +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,052 | Sterling Heights + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $309,742 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 471 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.4% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Albany +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 27.5 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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