Laredo 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)
Laredo, TX
Texas · Population: 255,949
- Median HH Income$63,264
- Median Home Price$221,806
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
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
Laredo
255,949
Laredo +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Laredo
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Laredo
25.4%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Laredo
37.6%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Laredo
0.5%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Laredo
0.5%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Laredo
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 133,473 | Laredo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.7 | 41.5 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 25.4% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 37.6% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 0.5% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 2.4% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Laredo
$63,264
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Laredo
$24,584
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Laredo
$63,758
Laredo +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Laredo
5.5%
Laredo +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Laredo
20.8%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Laredo
21.5%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,264 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,584 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,052 | Laredo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.2% | Laredo + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.8% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Laredo
63.3%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,806 | $309,742 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
442
Laredo +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
2339
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 471 | Laredo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
42.2%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.4%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Laredo
17.3%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Laredo
35.7%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.2%
Laredo +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Laredo
13.1%
Laredo +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 35.7% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.4% | Laredo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.3% | Laredo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
74.2°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
20.2 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Laredo +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Laredo
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Laredo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 27.5 min | Laredo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while laredo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $221,806. On public safety, Laredo is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Laredo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Laredo 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%.
Compare More Cities
Laredo, TX vs New York, NYLaredo, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Laredo, TXHouston, TX vs Laredo, TXLaredo, TX vs Phoenix, AZLaredo, TX vs Philadelphia, PA