Buffalo NY 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)
Buffalo, NY
New York · Population: 276,397
- Median HH Income$48,050
- Median Home Price$241,380
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
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
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 133,473 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 41.5 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 45.4% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 32.9% | 6.6% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 2.4% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $58,052 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $309,742 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 471 | Buffalo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.4% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 27.5 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Buffalo is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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