Carmel IN 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)
Carmel, IN
Indiana · Population: 100,501
- Median HH Income$134,602
- Median Home Price$570,592
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+74.5%
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
Carmel
100,501
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Carmel +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Carmel +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 41.5 | Carmel + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 77.5% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 3.7% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 9.0% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 2.4% | Carmel + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Carmel +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $78,429 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $37,315 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $58,052 | Carmel + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 6.2% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 10.6% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 31.2% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 471 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 36.0% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.5% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 17.2% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 6.7% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.4% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 15.3% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Carmel +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Carmel + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 27.5 min | Carmel + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Carmel has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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