Las Vegas NV 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)
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
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
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
Las Vegas +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 133,473 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 41.5 | Las Vegas + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 49.2% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 11.9% | 6.6% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 2.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $37,315 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $58,052 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
Las Vegas +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 471 | Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | 36.0% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 16.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 5.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
Las Vegas +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Las Vegas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Vegas
27.7 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 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, Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
Compare More Cities
Las Vegas, NV vs New York, NYLas Vegas, NV vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Las Vegas, NVHouston, TX vs Las Vegas, NVLas Vegas, NV vs Phoenix, AZLas Vegas, NV vs Philadelphia, PA