Killeen 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)
Killeen, TX
Texas · Population: 45,598
- Median HH Income$172,654
- Median Home Price$220,846
- Unemployment3.0%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
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
Killeen
45,598
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Killeen
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Killeen
44.1
Sterling Heights
41.5
Sterling Heights +
Foreign Born
Killeen
11.0%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Black
Killeen
2.9%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Killeen
6.1%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Killeen
10.7%
Killeen +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Killeen
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,598 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 44.1 | 41.5 | Sterling Heights + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 81.5% | 78.9% | Killeen + |
| Black | 2.9% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 2.4% | Killeen + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Killeen
$63,758
Killeen +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $172,654 | $78,429 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,859 | $37,315 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,052 | Killeen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 6.2% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.2% | 10.6% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 31.2% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
Sterling Heights
76.4%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,846 | $309,742 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 81.9% | 76.4% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
442
Killeen +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
2339
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 471 | Killeen + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
45.7%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
13.0%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Killeen
20.7%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Killeen
17.3%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Killeen
15.0%
Killeen +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Killeen
14.6%
Killeen +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.7% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.4% | Killeen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.3% | Killeen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
66.0°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
33.1 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Killeen +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Killeen
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Killeen + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Killeen
30.4 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Killeen leads in median household income at $172,654, while killeen offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,846. On public safety, Killeen is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Killeen has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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