Chula Vista CA 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Sterling Heights
41.5
Sterling Heights +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 41.5 | Sterling Heights + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 65.7% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 0.7% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 2.4% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $78,429 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $37,315 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 6.2% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 10.6% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 471 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Chula Vista +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 36.0% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.2% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.4% | Chula Vista + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 15.3% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Chula Vista +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Chula Vista +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Chula Vista + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chula Vista + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Chula Vista +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 27.5 min | Chula Vista + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Sterling Heights is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Chula Vista has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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