Eden Prairie MN 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)
Eden Prairie, MN
Minnesota · Population: 63,249
- Median HH Income$127,732
- Median Home Price$505,908
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
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
Eden Prairie
63,249
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eden Prairie
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Eden Prairie
40.5
Eden Prairie +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Eden Prairie
16.6%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Eden Prairie
69.5%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Eden Prairie
7.1%
Eden Prairie +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Eden Prairie
13.6%
Eden Prairie +
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Hispanic
Eden Prairie
5.1%
Eden Prairie +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Eden Prairie
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Eden Prairie, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 63,249 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 41.5 | Eden Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 16.6% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 69.5% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 7.1% | 6.6% | Eden Prairie + |
| Asian | 13.6% | 9.0% | Eden Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 2.4% | Eden Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eden Prairie
$127,732
Eden Prairie +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Eden Prairie
$70,228
Eden Prairie +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eden Prairie
$69,467
Eden Prairie +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Eden Prairie
3.3%
Eden Prairie +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Eden Prairie
6.0%
Eden Prairie +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Eden Prairie
64.7%
Eden Prairie +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Eden Prairie, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $127,732 | $78,429 | Eden Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $70,228 | $37,315 | Eden Prairie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $58,052 | Eden Prairie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 6.2% | Eden Prairie + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 10.6% | Eden Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.7% | 31.2% | Eden Prairie + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eden Prairie
$505,908
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Eden Prairie
75.6%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Eden Prairie, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $505,908 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 75.6% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eden Prairie
284
Eden Prairie +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eden Prairie
1992
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Eden Prairie, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 471 | Eden Prairie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eden Prairie
24.3%
Eden Prairie +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eden Prairie
7.3%
Eden Prairie +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eden Prairie
12.9%
Eden Prairie +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eden Prairie
5.6%
Eden Prairie +
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eden Prairie
18.2%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eden Prairie
9.0%
Eden Prairie +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Eden Prairie, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.3% | 36.0% | Eden Prairie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 11.5% | Eden Prairie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.9% | 17.2% | Eden Prairie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.6% | 6.7% | Eden Prairie + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 15.3% | Eden Prairie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eden Prairie
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eden Prairie
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Eden Prairie, MN | 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.)
Eden Prairie
8.1 µg/m³
Eden Prairie +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eden Prairie
75.0%
Eden Prairie +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Eden Prairie, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Eden Prairie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Eden Prairie + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eden Prairie
23.7 min
Eden Prairie +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Eden Prairie, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 27.5 min | Eden Prairie + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eden Prairie leads in median household income at $127,732, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Eden Prairie is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Eden Prairie has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Eden Prairie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eden Prairie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.3%.
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