Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Baltimore +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 133,473 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 41.5 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 27.4% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 60.0% | 6.6% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 2.4% | Baltimore + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $37,315 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $58,052 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 31.2% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $309,742 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 471 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.4% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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