Albuquerque NM 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)
Albuquerque, NM
New Mexico · Population: 562,488
- Median HH Income$65,604
- Median Home Price$346,496
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+38.6%
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
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Albuquerque +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 133,473 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 41.5 | Albuquerque + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 55.3% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 3.3% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 2.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Sterling Heights +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $37,315 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $58,052 | Sterling Heights + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 31.2% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 471 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 36.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.2% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.3% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Albuquerque +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albuquerque + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 27.5 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Sterling Heights is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Albuquerque has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albuquerque scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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