Downey 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)
Downey, CA
California · Population: 114,617
- Median HH Income$68,378
- Median Home Price$888,820
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+10.6%
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
Downey
114,617
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Sterling Heights
27.4%
White
Downey
21.0%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 41.5 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 27.4% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 0.4% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 2.4% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.2% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Downey, 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
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 36.0% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 17.2% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.4% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.3% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Downey +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Downey + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, 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 Downey. Downey has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Downey has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Downey scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.6%.
Compare More Cities
Downey, CA vs New York, NYDowney, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Downey, CADowney, CA vs Houston, TXDowney, CA vs Phoenix, AZDowney, CA vs Philadelphia, PA