Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Sterling Heights
27.4%
White
Houston
35.5%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 133,473 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 41.5 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 27.4% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 22.9% | 6.6% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 2.4% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $37,315 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,052 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 31.2% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $309,742 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 471 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 17.2% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.3% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
Compare More Cities
Houston, TX vs New York, NYHouston, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Houston, TXHouston, TX vs Phoenix, AZHouston, TX vs Philadelphia, PAHouston, TX vs San Antonio, TX