Colorado Springs CO 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)
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 133,473 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 41.5 | Colorado Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 72.3% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 5.8% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 2.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Colorado Springs +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $78,429 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $37,315 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $58,052 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.2% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 10.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 31.2% | Colorado Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 471 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 36.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 11.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 15.3% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Colorado Springs +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Colorado Springs +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 27.5 min | Colorado Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, 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 512 in Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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