Concord NC 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, NC
North Carolina · Population: 106,518
- Median HH Income$84,752
- Median Home Price$384,688
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+41.7%
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
Concord
106,518
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Concord
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Concord
36.2
Concord +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Concord
12.5%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Concord
54.7%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Concord
22.1%
Concord +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Concord
6.7%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Concord
15.8%
Concord +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Concord
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Concord, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,518 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 41.5 | Concord + |
| Foreign Born | 12.5% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 54.7% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 22.1% | 6.6% | Concord + |
| Asian | 6.7% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 15.8% | 2.4% | Concord + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Concord
$84,752
Concord +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Concord
$40,763
Concord +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Concord
$59,120
Concord +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Concord
4.8%
Concord +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Concord
8.6%
Concord +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Concord
41.7%
Concord +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,752 | $78,429 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,763 | $37,315 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,052 | Concord + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.2% | Concord + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.6% | 10.6% | Concord + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.7% | 31.2% | Concord + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Concord
$384,688
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Concord
66.4%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $384,688 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
398
Concord +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
1999
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 471 | Concord + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
33.5%
Concord +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.6%
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
10.5%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Concord
15.2%
Concord +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Concord
12.5%
Concord +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 36.0% | Concord + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.5% | Concord + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 17.2% | Concord + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.4% | Concord + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 15.3% | Concord + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
60.4°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
45.9 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Concord, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Concord
8.7 µg/m³
Concord +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Concord
75.0%
Concord +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Concord + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Concord + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Concord
29.7 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.7 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Concord leads in median household income at $84,752, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Concord is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Concord has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Concord has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Concord scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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