Austin 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Austin
59.9%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Austin +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 133,473 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 41.5 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 59.9% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 7.5% | 6.6% | Austin + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 2.4% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $78,429 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $37,315 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,052 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.2% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 31.2% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Austin +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 471 | Austin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 36.0% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 11.5% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 17.2% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 15.3% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Austin +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Austin, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Austin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Austin +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Austin, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 27.5 min | Austin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Austin is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Austin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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