Clearwater FL 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)
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
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
Clearwater
117,075
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Sterling Heights
41.5
Sterling Heights +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 41.5 | Sterling Heights + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 70.3% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 10.2% | 6.6% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 2.4% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $37,315 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $58,052 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.2% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 31.2% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Sterling Heights
1590
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 471 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1590 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 36.0% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.2% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.4% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.3% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Clearwater +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Clearwater + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 27.5 min | Clearwater + |
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, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clearwater scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.3%.
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