Jacksonville FL 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)
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
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
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
Jacksonville +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 133,473 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 41.5 | Jacksonville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 51.2% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 30.1% | 6.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 4.9% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 12.0% | 2.4% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
Jacksonville +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,981 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,269 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $58,052 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 6.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.9% | 31.2% | Jacksonville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,396 | $309,742 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
Sterling Heights
1590
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 471 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1590 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
Jacksonville +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 36.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.4% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 15.3% | Jacksonville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jacksonville
75.0%
Jacksonville +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Jacksonville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Jacksonville +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 27.5 min | Jacksonville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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