Little Rock AR 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)
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
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
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 133,473 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 41.5 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 46.4% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 39.4% | 6.6% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 2.4% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Sterling Heights +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $37,315 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $58,052 | Sterling Heights + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 31.2% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $309,742 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 471 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.4% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 15.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Little Rock +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Little Rock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 27.5 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Sterling Heights is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Little Rock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
Compare More Cities
Little Rock, AR vs New York, NYLittle Rock, AR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Little Rock, ARHouston, TX vs Little Rock, ARLittle Rock, AR vs Phoenix, AZLittle Rock, AR vs Philadelphia, PA