Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 133,473 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 41.5 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 39.1% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 28.4% | 6.6% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 2.4% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $37,315 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,052 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 31.2% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 471 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 36.0% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.2% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.3% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Chicago +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Chicago + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 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, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Chicago has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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