Anaheim CA 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)
Anaheim, CA
California · Population: 344,553
- Median HH Income$90,583
- Median Home Price$952,227
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
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
Anaheim
344,553
Anaheim +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anaheim
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Anaheim
35.9
Anaheim +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Anaheim
35.2%
Anaheim +
Sterling Heights
27.4%
White
Anaheim
41.2%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Anaheim
2.5%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Anaheim
18.6%
Anaheim +
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Hispanic
Anaheim
52.5%
Anaheim +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Anaheim
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 344,553 | 133,473 | Anaheim + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 41.5 | Anaheim + |
| Foreign Born | 35.2% | 27.4% | Anaheim + |
| White | 41.2% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 2.5% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 18.6% | 9.0% | Anaheim + |
| Hispanic | 52.5% | 2.4% | Anaheim + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anaheim
$90,583
Anaheim +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Anaheim
$36,541
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anaheim
$77,230
Anaheim +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Anaheim
5.5%
Anaheim +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Anaheim
12.5%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Anaheim
28.7%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,583 | $78,429 | Anaheim + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,541 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Anaheim + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.2% | Anaheim + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anaheim
$952,227
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Anaheim
45.9%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $952,227 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.9% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
503
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
2388
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 471 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
26.8%
Anaheim +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
12.2%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anaheim
18.0%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
14.7%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
15.4%
Anaheim +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
11.0%
Anaheim +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 36.0% | Anaheim + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 16.4% | Anaheim + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 15.3% | Anaheim + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
67.1°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
13.4 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anaheim
7.9 µg/m³
Anaheim +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anaheim
75.0%
Anaheim +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Anaheim + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Anaheim + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anaheim
30.6 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.6 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anaheim leads in median household income at $90,583, 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 503 in Anaheim. Anaheim has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Anaheim has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Anaheim scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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