Arlington 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Arlington
43.2%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 133,473 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 41.5 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 43.2% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 22.4% | 6.6% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 2.4% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Arlington +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Arlington +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Arlington +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,052 | Arlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.2% | Arlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 31.2% | Arlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Arlington +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 471 | Arlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Arlington +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 36.0% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.4% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 15.3% | Arlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Arlington +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Arlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
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, Arlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Arlington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Arlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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