Columbia MO 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)
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
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
Columbia
127,200
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Columbia +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 41.5 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 74.3% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 12.1% | 6.6% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 2.4% | Columbia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Columbia +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $37,315 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $58,052 | Columbia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.2% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 31.2% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 471 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 36.0% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 11.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.3% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Columbia +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 27.5 min | Columbia + |
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, Sterling Heights is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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