League City 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)
League City, TX
Texas · Population: 114,885
- Median HH Income$119,870
- Median Home Price$373,295
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+47.9%
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
League City
114,885
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
League City
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
League City
37.7
League City +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
League City
11.1%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
League City
70.7%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
League City
7.4%
League City +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
League City
6.0%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
League City
19.3%
League City +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
League City
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | League City, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,885 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 41.5 | League City + |
| Foreign Born | 11.1% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 70.7% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 7.4% | 6.6% | League City + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 2.4% | League City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
League City
$119,870
League City +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
League City
$52,344
League City +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
League City
$63,758
League City +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
League City
3.6%
League City +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
League City
4.5%
League City +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
League City
47.9%
League City +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | League City, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,870 | $78,429 | League City + |
| Per Capita Income | $52,344 | $37,315 | League City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,052 | League City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 6.2% | League City + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 10.6% | League City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.9% | 31.2% | League City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
League City
$373,295
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
League City
74.4%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | League City, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,295 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.4% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
League City
442
League City +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
League City
2339
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | League City, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 471 | League City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
League City
30.5%
League City +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
League City
9.3%
League City +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
League City
15.5%
League City +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
League City
10.8%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
League City
20.0%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
League City
9.7%
League City +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | League City, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.5% | 36.0% | League City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.5% | League City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 17.2% | League City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.3% | League City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
League City
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
League City
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | League City, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
League City
9.2 µg/m³
League City +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
League City
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | League City, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | League City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
League City
32.4 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | League City, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.4 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
League City leads in median household income at $119,870, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, League City is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. League City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and League City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, League City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.5%.
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