Corona 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)
Corona, CA
California · Population: 158,839
- Median HH Income$106,438
- Median Home Price$765,560
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
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
Corona
158,839
Corona +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corona
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Corona
37.3
Corona +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Corona
24.2%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Corona
41.6%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Corona
5.3%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Corona
11.5%
Corona +
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Hispanic
Corona
48.3%
Corona +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Corona
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Corona, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 158,839 | 133,473 | Corona + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 41.5 | Corona + |
| Foreign Born | 24.2% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 41.6% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 5.3% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 11.5% | 9.0% | Corona + |
| Hispanic | 48.3% | 2.4% | Corona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corona
$106,438
Corona +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Corona
$40,453
Corona +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corona
$77,230
Corona +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Corona
5.4%
Corona +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Corona
9.1%
Corona +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Corona
30.9%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Corona, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $106,438 | $78,429 | Corona + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,453 | $37,315 | Corona + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Corona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 6.2% | Corona + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 10.6% | Corona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.9% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corona
$765,560
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Corona
63.4%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Corona, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,560 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.4% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corona
503
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corona
2388
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Corona, 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
Corona
35.1%
Corona +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corona
11.1%
Corona +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corona
17.2%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corona
11.1%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corona
15.1%
Corona +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corona
10.8%
Corona +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Corona, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 36.0% | Corona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.5% | Corona + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.2% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.4% | Corona + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 15.3% | Corona + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corona
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corona
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Corona, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corona
7.9 µg/m³
Corona +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corona
75.0%
Corona +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Corona, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Corona + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Corona + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corona
38.4 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Corona, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 38.4 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Corona leads in median household income at $106,438, 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 Corona. Corona has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Corona has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Corona scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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