Cheyenne WY 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)
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
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
Cheyenne
58,754
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cheyenne
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Cheyenne
37.0
Cheyenne +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Cheyenne
2.1%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Black
Cheyenne
0.6%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Cheyenne
0.5%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Cheyenne
8.9%
Cheyenne +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Cheyenne
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,754 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 41.5 | Cheyenne + |
| Foreign Born | 2.1% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 89.9% | 78.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 0.6% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 2.4% | Cheyenne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cheyenne
$69,171
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Cheyenne
$41,460
Cheyenne +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Cheyenne
3.9%
Cheyenne +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Cheyenne
11.2%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cheyenne
30.0%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,171 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,460 | $37,315 | Cheyenne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,800 | $58,052 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.2% | Cheyenne + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.0% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cheyenne
$388,590
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Cheyenne
70.3%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $388,590 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 70.3% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
1522
Cheyenne +
Sterling Heights
1590
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 222 | 471 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1522 | 1590 | Cheyenne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
33.9%
Cheyenne +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
10.6%
Cheyenne +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cheyenne
16.2%
Cheyenne +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
12.4%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
14.2%
Cheyenne +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
13.3%
Cheyenne +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 36.0% | Cheyenne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.5% | Cheyenne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.2% | Cheyenne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.4% | Cheyenne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 15.3% | Cheyenne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
16.3 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cheyenne
75.0%
Cheyenne +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Cheyenne + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cheyenne
17.8 min
Cheyenne +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.8 min | 27.5 min | Cheyenne + |
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, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Cheyenne has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Cheyenne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cheyenne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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