Grand Rapids MI 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 Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
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 Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 133,473 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 41.5 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 61.0% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 17.9% | 6.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 2.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,052 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 31.2% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Sterling Heights
471
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Sterling Heights
1590
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 471 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1590 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.3% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 27.5 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, 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 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Sterling Heights has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
Compare More Cities
Grand Rapids, MI vs New York, NYGrand Rapids, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Grand Rapids, MIGrand Rapids, MI vs Houston, TXGrand Rapids, MI vs Phoenix, AZGrand Rapids, MI vs Philadelphia, PA