Cleveland 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 133,473 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 41.5 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 36.7% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 46.8% | 6.6% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 2.4% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Cleveland +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,052 | Cleveland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $309,742 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 471 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.4% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Cleveland +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Cleveland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 27.5 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland 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 Cleveland 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%.
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