Allen TX 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)
Allen, TX
Texas · Population: 107,684
- Median HH Income$129,130
- Median Home Price$502,170
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+56.1%
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
Allen
107,684
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allen
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Allen
38.5
Allen +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Allen
21.9%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Allen
55.7%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Allen
10.6%
Allen +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Allen
19.6%
Allen +
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Hispanic
Allen
11.8%
Allen +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Allen
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 41.5 | Allen + |
| Foreign Born | 21.9% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 55.7% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 10.6% | 6.6% | Allen + |
| Asian | 19.6% | 9.0% | Allen + |
| Hispanic | 11.8% | 2.4% | Allen + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allen
$129,130
Allen +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Allen
$54,853
Allen +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allen
$63,758
Allen +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Allen
4.3%
Allen +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allen
56.1%
Allen +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,130 | $78,429 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,853 | $37,315 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,052 | Allen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.2% | Allen + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.8% | 10.6% | Allen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.1% | 31.2% | Allen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allen
$502,170
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Allen
69.8%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $502,170 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
442
Allen +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
2339
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 471 | Allen + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
31.7%
Allen +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.3%
Allen +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allen
14.6%
Allen +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allen
8.9%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allen
17.4%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.2%
Allen +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 36.0% | Allen + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.5% | Allen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 17.2% | Allen + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 15.3% | Allen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
74.6°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
19.5 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Allen +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allen
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allen, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Allen + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allen
30.3 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.3 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allen leads in median household income at $129,130, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Allen is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Allen has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Allen has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Allen scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
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