Durham 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Durham
44.0%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 133,473 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 41.5 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 44.0% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 34.4% | 6.6% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 2.4% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Durham +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $78,429 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $37,315 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,052 | Durham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.2% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 31.2% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 471 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.5% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.2% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.4% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 15.3% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Durham +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Durham +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Durham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 27.5 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Durham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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