Concord CA 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)
Concord, CA
California · Population: 124,260
- Median HH Income$109,195
- Median Home Price$739,280
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Concord
124,260
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Concord
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Concord
38.6
Concord +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Concord
25.6%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Concord
48.1%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Concord
3.9%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Concord
13.5%
Concord +
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Hispanic
Concord
32.3%
Concord +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Concord
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Concord, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,260 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 41.5 | Concord + |
| Foreign Born | 25.6% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 48.1% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 3.9% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 13.5% | 9.0% | Concord + |
| Hispanic | 32.3% | 2.4% | Concord + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Concord
$109,195
Concord +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Concord
$49,514
Concord +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Concord
$77,230
Concord +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Concord
4.9%
Concord +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Concord
8.9%
Concord +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Concord
37.8%
Concord +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Concord, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,195 | $78,429 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,514 | $37,315 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Concord + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.2% | Concord + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.9% | 10.6% | Concord + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 31.2% | Concord + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Concord
$739,280
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Concord
61.4%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Concord, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $739,280 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.4% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
503
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
2388
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Concord, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 471 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
29.1%
Concord +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.8%
Concord +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Concord
16.6%
Concord +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Concord
9.3%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Concord
16.2%
Concord +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.4%
Concord +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Concord, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 36.0% | Concord + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 11.5% | Concord + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 17.2% | Concord + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.4% | Concord + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 15.3% | Concord + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
61.7°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
18.1 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Concord, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Concord
7.9 µg/m³
Concord +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Concord
75.0%
Concord +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Concord, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Concord + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Concord + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Concord
34.9 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Concord, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.9 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Concord leads in median household income at $109,195, 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 503 in Concord. Concord has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Concord has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Concord scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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