Columbus GA 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)
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
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
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Columbus +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 133,473 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 41.5 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 39.3% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 46.7% | 6.6% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 2.4% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Sterling Heights +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,052 | Sterling Heights + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $309,742 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 471 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.4% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Columbus +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Columbus + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 27.5 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Columbus has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
Compare More Cities
Columbus, GA vs New York, NYColumbus, GA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbus, GAColumbus, GA vs Houston, TXColumbus, GA vs Phoenix, AZColumbus, GA vs Philadelphia, PA