Grand Prairie 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)
Grand Prairie, TX
Texas · Population: 198,564
- Median HH Income$78,889
- Median Home Price$318,759
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
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
Grand Prairie
198,564
Grand Prairie +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 133,473 | Grand Prairie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 41.5 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 32.9% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 24.6% | 6.6% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 2.4% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Grand Prairie +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Grand Prairie +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $78,429 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,052 | Grand Prairie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Grand Prairie +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 471 | Grand Prairie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Grand Prairie +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Grand Prairie +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 36.0% | Grand Prairie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.4% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.3% | Grand Prairie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Grand Prairie +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Grand Prairie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Prairie leads in median household income at $78,889, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Grand Prairie is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Grand Prairie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Grand Prairie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Prairie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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