Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Sterling Heights
41.5
Sterling Heights +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 133,473 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 41.5 | Sterling Heights + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 51.3% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 28.8% | 6.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 2.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $78,429 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $37,315 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $58,052 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 31.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Sterling Heights
1590
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 471 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1590 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 36.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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