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

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%

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 +

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 +

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%

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

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%

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Broken Arrow
23.3 min
Broken Arrow +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min

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%.

Compare More Cities

About Broken Arrow & Sterling Heights