Lexington KY 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)
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
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
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 133,473 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 41.5 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 69.9% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 14.4% | 6.6% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 2.4% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Sterling Heights +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $37,315 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $58,052 | Sterling Heights + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.2% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 31.2% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Sterling Heights
1590
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 471 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1590 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 27.5 min | Lexington + |
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, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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