Dayton OH 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)
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
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
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Dayton +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 133,473 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 41.5 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 51.3% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 38.0% | 6.6% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 2.4% | Dayton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Dayton +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,052 | Dayton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $309,742 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 471 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.4% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Dayton +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Dayton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 27.5 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Dayton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
Compare More Cities
Dayton, OH vs New York, NYDayton, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Dayton, OHDayton, OH vs Houston, TXDayton, OH vs Phoenix, AZDayton, OH vs Philadelphia, PA