Everett WA 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)
Everett, WA
Washington · Population: 111,083
- Median HH Income$81,502
- Median Home Price$665,406
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
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
Everett
111,083
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Everett
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Everett
37.1
Everett +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Everett
21.6%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Everett
61.4%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Everett
6.5%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Everett
10.0%
Everett +
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Hispanic
Everett
17.3%
Everett +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Everett
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Everett, WA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,083 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 41.5 | Everett + |
| Foreign Born | 21.6% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 61.4% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 6.5% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 9.0% | Everett + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 2.4% | Everett + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Everett
$81,502
Everett +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Everett
$44,115
Everett +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Everett
$76,120
Everett +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Everett
5.4%
Everett +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Everett
12.1%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Everett
28.9%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Everett, WA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,502 | $78,429 | Everett + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,115 | $37,315 | Everett + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $58,052 | Everett + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 6.2% | Everett + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.1% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Everett
$665,406
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Everett
50.0%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Everett, WA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $665,406 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Everett
383
Everett +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Everett
3409
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Everett, WA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 471 | Everett + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Everett
32.7%
Everett +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Everett
9.4%
Everett +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Everett
17.5%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Everett
9.8%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Everett
16.5%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Everett
11.6%
Everett +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Everett, WA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 36.0% | Everett + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.5% | Everett + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 15.3% | Everett + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Everett
51.8°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Everett
38.4 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Everett, WA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Everett
7.5 µg/m³
Everett +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Everett
75.0%
Everett +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Everett, WA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Everett + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Everett + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Everett
28.9 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Everett, WA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.9 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Everett leads in median household income at $81,502, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Everett is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Everett has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Everett has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Everett scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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