Kansas City KS 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)
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
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
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 133,473 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 41.5 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 44.0% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 20.4% | 6.6% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 2.4% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $58,052 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.2% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $309,742 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 471 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.4% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kansas City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 27.5 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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