Jersey City NJ 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)
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
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
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Sterling Heights
27.4%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 133,473 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 41.5 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 27.4% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 21.4% | 6.6% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 9.0% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 2.4% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $78,429 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $37,315 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $58,052 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.2% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 31.2% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Sterling Heights
1590
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 471 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1590 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 36.0% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.5% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 17.2% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.4% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 15.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | 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.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Jersey City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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