Hialeah FL 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)
Hialeah, FL
Florida · Population: 221,901
- Median HH Income$53,079
- Median Home Price$444,086
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+21.2%
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
Hialeah
221,901
Hialeah +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hialeah
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Hialeah
45.9
Sterling Heights
41.5
Sterling Heights +
Foreign Born
Hialeah
74.7%
Hialeah +
Sterling Heights
27.4%
White
Hialeah
32.4%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Hialeah
1.3%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Hialeah
0.6%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Hialeah
95.2%
Hialeah +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Hialeah
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,901 | 133,473 | Hialeah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.9 | 41.5 | Sterling Heights + |
| Foreign Born | 74.7% | 27.4% | Hialeah + |
| White | 32.4% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 1.3% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 2.4% | Hialeah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hialeah
$53,079
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Hialeah
$25,766
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hialeah
$65,328
Hialeah +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Hialeah
3.7%
Hialeah +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Hialeah
17.5%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hialeah
21.2%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,079 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,766 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $58,052 | Hialeah + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 6.2% | Hialeah + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.2% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hialeah
$444,086
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Hialeah
47.1%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $444,086 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.1% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hialeah
324
Hialeah +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hialeah
1453
Hialeah +
Sterling Heights
1590
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 471 | Hialeah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1590 | Hialeah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
30.9%
Hialeah +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
19.1%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hialeah
14.2%
Hialeah +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
34.7%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
13.4%
Hialeah +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
12.1%
Hialeah +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 36.0% | Hialeah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 17.2% | Hialeah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 16.4% | Hialeah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 15.3% | Hialeah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hialeah
76.0°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hialeah
70.4 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 76.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hialeah
7.2 µg/m³
Hialeah +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hialeah
75.0%
Hialeah +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Hialeah + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hialeah + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hialeah
31.7 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 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, Hialeah is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Hialeah has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Hialeah has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hialeah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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