Fayetteville 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)
Fayetteville, NC
North Carolina · Population: 209,692
- Median HH Income$56,395
- Median Home Price$226,710
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
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
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 133,473 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 41.5 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 38.3% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 42.3% | 6.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 2.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,052 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $309,742 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 471 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.3% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 27.5 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Fayetteville 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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