Antioch 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)

Antioch, CA

California · Population: 115,759

  • Median HH Income$94,256
  • Median Home Price$596,401
  • Unemployment7.1%
  • Bachelor's+23.9%

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
Antioch
115,759
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Antioch
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Antioch
38.1
Antioch +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Antioch
23.8%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Antioch
29.5%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Antioch
19.7%
Antioch +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Antioch
13.6%
Antioch +
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Hispanic
Antioch
36.1%
Antioch +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Antioch
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Antioch
$94,256
Antioch +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Antioch
$40,337
Antioch +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Antioch
$77,230
Antioch +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Antioch
7.1%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
Antioch
11.2%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Antioch
23.9%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Antioch
$596,401
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Antioch
63.5%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Antioch
503
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Antioch
2388
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Antioch
32.9%
Antioch +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Antioch
12.5%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Antioch
18.4%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Antioch
11.1%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Antioch
15.2%
Antioch +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Antioch
12.1%
Antioch +
Sterling Heights
15.3%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Antioch
61.5°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Antioch
13.2 in
Sterling Heights
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Antioch
7.9 µg/m³
Antioch +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Antioch
75.0%
Antioch +
Sterling Heights
55.0%

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Antioch
45.9 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +

Which City is Right for You?

Antioch leads in median household income at $94,256, 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 Antioch. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Antioch has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Antioch scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.

Compare More Cities

About Antioch & Sterling Heights