Alexandria VA 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)
Alexandria, VA
Virginia · Population: 156,788
- Median HH Income$113,638
- Median Home Price$679,447
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+65.8%
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
Alexandria
156,788
Alexandria +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Alexandria +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Alexandria +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 133,473 | Alexandria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 41.5 | Alexandria + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 53.6% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 21.1% | 6.6% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 2.4% | Alexandria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Alexandria +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $78,429 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $37,315 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $58,052 | Alexandria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 6.2% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 10.6% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 31.2% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 471 | Alexandria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Alexandria +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 36.0% | Alexandria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 11.5% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 17.2% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 15.3% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Alexandria +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Alexandria +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Alexandria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Alexandria + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Alexandria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Alexandria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
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