Fort Worth TX 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 Worth, TX
Texas · Population: 941,311
- Median HH Income$76,602
- Median Home Price$299,655
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+31.7%
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
Fort Worth
941,311
Fort Worth +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Worth
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Fort Worth
33.4
Fort Worth +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Fort Worth
17.0%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Fort Worth
47.7%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Fort Worth
19.5%
Fort Worth +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Fort Worth
5.2%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Fort Worth
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 133,473 | Fort Worth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 41.5 | Fort Worth + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 47.7% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 19.5% | 6.6% | Fort Worth + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 34.6% | 2.4% | Fort Worth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Worth
$76,602
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Fort Worth
$37,157
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Worth
$63,758
Fort Worth +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Fort Worth
4.9%
Fort Worth +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Fort Worth
12.9%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Worth
31.7%
Fort Worth +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,602 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,157 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,052 | Fort Worth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.2% | Fort Worth + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.9% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 31.2% | Fort Worth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Worth
$299,655
Fort Worth +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Fort Worth
56.8%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,655 | $309,742 | Fort Worth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.8% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
442
Fort Worth +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
2339
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 471 | Fort Worth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
12.2%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Worth
18.5%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
20.0%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
16.9%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
13.8%
Fort Worth +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 36.0% | Fort Worth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 15.3% | Fort Worth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
37.8 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Fort Worth +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Worth
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Fort Worth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Worth
29.0 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while fort Worth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,655. On public safety, Fort Worth is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Fort Worth has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Fort Worth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Worth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
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