Lakewood CO 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)
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
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
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Lakewood +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 133,473 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 41.5 | Lakewood + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 76.0% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 1.4% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 2.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $78,429 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $37,315 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $58,052 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.2% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 10.6% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 31.2% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 471 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 36.0% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 11.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 17.2% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 15.3% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Lakewood +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lakewood + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakewood
28.6 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Sterling Heights is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Lakewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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