Irving 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)
Irving, TX
Texas · Population: 255,036
- Median HH Income$79,641
- Median Home Price$344,888
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+41.6%
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
Irving
255,036
Irving +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irving
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Irving
32.8
Irving +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Irving
41.9%
Irving +
Sterling Heights
27.4%
White
Irving
36.7%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Irving
12.9%
Irving +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Irving
22.6%
Irving +
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Hispanic
Irving
43.0%
Irving +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Irving
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Irving, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,036 | 133,473 | Irving + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 41.5 | Irving + |
| Foreign Born | 41.9% | 27.4% | Irving + |
| White | 36.7% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 12.9% | 6.6% | Irving + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 9.0% | Irving + |
| Hispanic | 43.0% | 2.4% | Irving + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irving
$79,641
Irving +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Irving
$39,462
Irving +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irving
$63,758
Irving +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Irving
4.3%
Irving +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Irving
11.0%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Irving
41.6%
Irving +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Irving, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,641 | $78,429 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,462 | $37,315 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,052 | Irving + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.2% | Irving + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.6% | 31.2% | Irving + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irving
$344,888
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Irving
38.3%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,888 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.3% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
442
Irving +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
2339
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 471 | Irving + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irving
31.6%
Irving +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irving
10.5%
Irving +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irving
16.2%
Irving +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irving
20.6%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irving
17.0%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irving
11.2%
Irving +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Irving, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.6% | 36.0% | Irving + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.5% | Irving + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.2% | Irving + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 15.3% | Irving + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Irving, TX | 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.)
Irving
9.2 µg/m³
Irving +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irving
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Irving, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Irving + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Irving
26.0 min
Irving +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Irving, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 27.5 min | Irving + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irving leads in median household income at $79,641, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Irving is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Irving has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Irving has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irving scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
Compare More Cities
Irving, TX vs New York, NYIrving, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Irving, TXHouston, TX vs Irving, TXIrving, TX vs Phoenix, AZIrving, TX vs Philadelphia, PA