Inglewood CA 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)
Inglewood, CA
California · Population: 90,669
- Median HH Income$78,709
- Median Home Price$761,870
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+21.1%
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
Inglewood
90,669
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Inglewood
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Inglewood
38.2
Inglewood +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Inglewood
25.3%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Inglewood
36.5%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Inglewood
3.4%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Inglewood
2.7%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Inglewood
68.9%
Inglewood +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Inglewood
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Inglewood, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 90,669 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 41.5 | Inglewood + |
| Foreign Born | 25.3% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 36.5% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 3.4% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 68.9% | 2.4% | Inglewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Inglewood
$78,709
Inglewood +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Inglewood
$35,231
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Inglewood
$77,230
Inglewood +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Inglewood
4.6%
Inglewood +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Inglewood
11.6%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Inglewood
21.1%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Inglewood, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,709 | $78,429 | Inglewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,231 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Inglewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 6.2% | Inglewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.1% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Inglewood
$761,870
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Inglewood
68.3%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Inglewood, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $761,870 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.3% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Inglewood
503
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Inglewood
2388
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Inglewood, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 471 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Inglewood
32.6%
Inglewood +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Inglewood
14.5%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Inglewood
18.2%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Inglewood
14.4%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Inglewood
14.2%
Inglewood +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Inglewood
12.7%
Inglewood +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Inglewood, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 36.0% | Inglewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.4% | Inglewood + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 15.3% | Inglewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Inglewood
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Inglewood
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Inglewood, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Inglewood
7.9 µg/m³
Inglewood +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Inglewood
75.0%
Inglewood +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Inglewood, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Inglewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Inglewood + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Inglewood
24.0 min
Inglewood +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Inglewood, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 27.5 min | Inglewood + |
Which City is Right for You?
Inglewood leads in median household income at $78,709, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Sterling Heights is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Inglewood. Inglewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Inglewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Inglewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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