Des Moines IA 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)
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
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
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 133,473 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 41.5 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 66.9% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 12.0% | 6.6% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 2.4% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $58,052 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.2% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $309,742 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Sterling Heights
1590
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 471 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1590 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Des Moines +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Des Moines + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 27.5 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Des Moines has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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