Cape Coral FL 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)
Cape Coral, FL
Florida · Population: 206,387
- Median HH Income$76,062
- Median Home Price$339,638
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
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
Cape Coral
206,387
Cape Coral +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cape Coral
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Cape Coral
48.7
Sterling Heights
41.5
Sterling Heights +
Foreign Born
Cape Coral
17.9%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Cape Coral
72.9%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Cape Coral
4.5%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Cape Coral
1.6%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Cape Coral
25.1%
Cape Coral +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Cape Coral
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 133,473 | Cape Coral + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.7 | 41.5 | Sterling Heights + |
| Foreign Born | 17.9% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 72.9% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 4.5% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 25.1% | 2.4% | Cape Coral + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cape Coral
$76,062
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Cape Coral
$39,603
Cape Coral +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cape Coral
$65,328
Cape Coral +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Cape Coral
4.1%
Cape Coral +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Cape Coral
9.8%
Cape Coral +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cape Coral
25.7%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,062 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,603 | $37,315 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $58,052 | Cape Coral + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 6.2% | Cape Coral + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.8% | 10.6% | Cape Coral + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cape Coral
$339,638
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Cape Coral
77.7%
Cape Coral +
Sterling Heights
76.4%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $339,638 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 77.7% | 76.4% | Cape Coral + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
324
Cape Coral +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
1453
Cape Coral +
Sterling Heights
1590
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 471 | Cape Coral + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1590 | Cape Coral + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
30.6%
Cape Coral +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
13.4%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cape Coral
15.5%
Cape Coral +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
14.4%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
15.1%
Cape Coral +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
12.6%
Cape Coral +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 36.0% | Cape Coral + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 17.2% | Cape Coral + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.4% | Cape Coral + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 15.3% | Cape Coral + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | 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.)
Cape Coral
7.2 µg/m³
Cape Coral +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cape Coral
75.0%
Cape Coral +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Cape Coral + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Cape Coral + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cape Coral
31.1 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
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, Cape Coral is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Cape Coral has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Cape Coral has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cape Coral scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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