High Point NC 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)
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
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
High Point
115,263
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
High Point +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
High Point
46.1%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 41.5 | High Point + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 46.1% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 32.7% | 6.6% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 2.4% | High Point + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
High Point +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,052 | High Point + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 6.2% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 31.2% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $309,742 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
High Point +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 471 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.2% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.4% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.3% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
High Point +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
High Point +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | High Point + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | High Point + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 27.5 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, High Point is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and High Point has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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