Broken Arrow OK 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)
Broken Arrow, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 115,919
- Median HH Income$85,220
- Median Home Price$289,352
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
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
Broken Arrow
115,919
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Broken Arrow
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Broken Arrow
37.0
Broken Arrow +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Broken Arrow
8.2%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Broken Arrow
68.4%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Broken Arrow
5.9%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Broken Arrow
4.6%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Broken Arrow
11.3%
Broken Arrow +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Broken Arrow
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,919 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 41.5 | Broken Arrow + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 68.4% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 5.9% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 2.4% | Broken Arrow + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Broken Arrow
$85,220
Broken Arrow +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Broken Arrow
$46,356
Broken Arrow +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Broken Arrow
$57,929
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Sterling Heights +
Unemployment Rate
Broken Arrow
4.3%
Broken Arrow +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Broken Arrow
9.0%
Broken Arrow +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Broken Arrow
35.0%
Broken Arrow +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,220 | $78,429 | Broken Arrow + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,356 | $37,315 | Broken Arrow + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $58,052 | Sterling Heights + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.2% | Broken Arrow + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.0% | 10.6% | Broken Arrow + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 31.2% | Broken Arrow + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Broken Arrow
$289,352
Broken Arrow +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Broken Arrow
72.6%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,352 | $309,742 | Broken Arrow + |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.6% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
429
Broken Arrow +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
2375
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 471 | Broken Arrow + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
33.7%
Broken Arrow +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
10.6%
Broken Arrow +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Broken Arrow
16.9%
Broken Arrow +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
9.1%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
14.1%
Broken Arrow +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
13.2%
Broken Arrow +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 36.0% | Broken Arrow + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.5% | Broken Arrow + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 17.2% | Broken Arrow + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.4% | Broken Arrow + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 15.3% | Broken Arrow + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
8.8 µg/m³
Broken Arrow +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Broken Arrow
75.0%
Broken Arrow +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Broken Arrow + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Broken Arrow + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Broken Arrow
23.3 min
Broken Arrow +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.3 min | 27.5 min | Broken Arrow + |
Which City is Right for You?
Broken Arrow leads in median household income at $85,220, while broken Arrow offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,352. On public safety, Broken Arrow is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Broken Arrow has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Broken Arrow has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Broken Arrow scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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