Elk Grove 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)
Elk Grove, CA
California · Population: 177,221
- Median HH Income$122,229
- Median Home Price$637,623
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+38.0%
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
Elk Grove
177,221
Elk Grove +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Elk Grove +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Elk Grove +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 133,473 | Elk Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 41.5 | Elk Grove + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 34.9% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 10.9% | 6.6% | Elk Grove + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 9.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 2.4% | Elk Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Elk Grove +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Elk Grove +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $78,429 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $37,315 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 10.6% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 31.2% | Elk Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Elk Grove, 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
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Elk Grove +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 36.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.5% | Elk Grove + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.2% | Elk Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 6.7% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 16.4% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 15.3% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | 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.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Elk Grove +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Elk Grove +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Elk Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Elk Grove + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elk Grove
33.7 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, 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 Elk Grove. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Elk Grove has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elk Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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