Lancaster CA 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)
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
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
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 133,473 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 41.5 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 35.5% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 21.4% | 6.6% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 2.4% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 471 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 36.0% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.4% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.3% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, 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 503 in Lancaster. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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