Burlington VT 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)
Burlington, VT
Vermont · Population: 44,649
- Median HH Income$68,854
- Median Home Price$510,361
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+60.5%
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
Burlington
44,649
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Burlington +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 41.5 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 85.8% | 78.9% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 2.4% | Burlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Burlington +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Burlington +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $37,315 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $58,052 | Burlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 6.2% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 31.2% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 471 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 36.0% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 11.5% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 15.3% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Burlington +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Burlington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 27.5 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Burlington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Burlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Burlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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