Independence MO 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)
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
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
Independence
121,944
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Independence +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Independence
72.2%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 41.5 | Independence + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 72.2% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 10.8% | 6.6% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 2.4% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $58,052 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.2% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $309,742 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 471 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Independence +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Independence, MO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Independence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 27.5 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Sterling Heights is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Independence 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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