Huntington WV 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)
Huntington, WV
West Virginia · Population: 46,189
- Median HH Income$43,146
- Median Home Price$138,553
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+34.4%
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
Huntington
46,189
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Huntington
34.9
Huntington +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Huntington
1.8%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Black
Huntington
6.5%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Huntington
1.3%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Huntington
2.0%
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Sterling Heights +
Spanish at Home
Huntington
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,189 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 41.5 | Huntington + |
| Foreign Born | 1.8% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 85.0% | 78.9% | Huntington + |
| Black | 6.5% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 2.0% | 2.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington
$43,146
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Huntington
$30,024
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington
$50,163
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Sterling Heights +
Unemployment Rate
Huntington
7.6%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
Huntington
27.4%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington
34.4%
Huntington +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,146 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,024 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $58,052 | Sterling Heights + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.4% | 31.2% | Huntington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Huntington
52.5%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,553 | $309,742 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
398
Huntington +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
1999
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 471 | Huntington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
46.4%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
15.7%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington
24.0%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington
9.7%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington
13.7%
Huntington +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington
20.6%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 24.0% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.4% | Huntington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
56.1°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
43.1 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington
9.3 µg/m³
Huntington +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Huntington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington
20.2 min
Huntington +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 27.5 min | Huntington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while huntington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,553. On public safety, Huntington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Huntington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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