Fullerton 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)
Fullerton, CA
California · Population: 141,278
- Median HH Income$104,219
- Median Home Price$1,047,700
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
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
Fullerton
141,278
Fullerton +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fullerton
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Fullerton
36.1
Fullerton +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Fullerton
28.9%
Fullerton +
Sterling Heights
27.4%
White
Fullerton
43.0%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Fullerton
2.1%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Fullerton
24.5%
Fullerton +
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Hispanic
Fullerton
39.6%
Fullerton +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Fullerton
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | 133,473 | Fullerton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 41.5 | Fullerton + |
| Foreign Born | 28.9% | 27.4% | Fullerton + |
| White | 43.0% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 2.1% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 24.5% | 9.0% | Fullerton + |
| Hispanic | 39.6% | 2.4% | Fullerton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fullerton
$104,219
Fullerton +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Fullerton
$48,061
Fullerton +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fullerton
$77,230
Fullerton +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Fullerton
6.5%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
Fullerton
12.2%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fullerton
43.6%
Fullerton +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,219 | $78,429 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,061 | $37,315 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Fullerton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 31.2% | Fullerton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fullerton
$1,047,700
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Fullerton
51.5%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,047,700 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
503
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
2388
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Fullerton, 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
Fullerton
23.9%
Fullerton +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.9%
Fullerton +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fullerton
16.8%
Fullerton +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.2%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
15.0%
Fullerton +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
9.2%
Fullerton +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.9% | 36.0% | Fullerton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.5% | Fullerton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.2% | Fullerton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.4% | Fullerton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 15.3% | Fullerton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
65.1°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
13.9 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fullerton
7.9 µg/m³
Fullerton +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fullerton
75.0%
Fullerton +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Fullerton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fullerton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fullerton
32.5 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fullerton leads in median household income at $104,219, 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 Fullerton. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Fullerton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fullerton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.9%.
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