Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Boise +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 133,473 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 41.5 | Boise + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 83.6% | 78.9% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 2.4% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Sterling Heights +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $78,429 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $37,315 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $58,052 | Sterling Heights + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 6.2% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 31.2% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Sterling Heights
1590
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 471 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1590 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Boise +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 27.5 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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