Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Cincinnati +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 133,473 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 41.5 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 49.4% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 38.7% | 6.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 2.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Cincinnati +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $37,315 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,052 | Cincinnati + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 31.2% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $309,742 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 471 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Cincinnati +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Cincinnati + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 27.5 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Cincinnati has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
Compare More Cities
Cincinnati, OH vs New York, NYCincinnati, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Cincinnati, OHCincinnati, OH vs Houston, TXCincinnati, OH vs Phoenix, AZCincinnati, OH vs Philadelphia, PA