Gresham OR 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)
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
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
Gresham
112,818
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gresham
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Gresham
37.2
Gresham +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Gresham
16.5%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Gresham
67.7%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Gresham
4.4%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Gresham
5.7%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Gresham
21.1%
Gresham +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Gresham
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 41.5 | Gresham + |
| Foreign Born | 16.5% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 67.7% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 4.4% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 21.1% | 2.4% | Gresham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gresham
$73,608
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Gresham
$35,390
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gresham
$63,691
Gresham +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Gresham
5.3%
Gresham +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Gresham
12.7%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gresham
23.6%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,608 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,390 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $58,052 | Gresham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.2% | Gresham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.6% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gresham
$472,119
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Gresham
56.1%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,119 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.1% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
355
Gresham +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
3001
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 471 | Gresham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.3%
Gresham +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gresham
20.4%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.0%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gresham
16.2%
Gresham +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gresham
15.3%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Tie
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 36.0% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.5% | Gresham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.4% | Gresham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.3% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | 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.)
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Gresham +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gresham
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Gresham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gresham
28.8 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
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, Gresham is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Gresham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Gresham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gresham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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