Livonia MI 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)
Livonia, MI
Michigan · Population: 94,058
- Median HH Income$96,317
- Median Home Price$314,705
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+40.5%
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
Livonia
94,058
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Livonia
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Livonia
45.1
Sterling Heights
41.5
Sterling Heights +
Foreign Born
Livonia
8.2%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Livonia
84.4%
Livonia +
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Black
Livonia
4.4%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Livonia
3.7%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Livonia
4.5%
Livonia +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Livonia
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Livonia, MI | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,058 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.1 | 41.5 | Sterling Heights + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 84.4% | 78.9% | Livonia + |
| Black | 4.4% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 2.4% | Livonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Livonia
$96,317
Livonia +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Livonia
$46,588
Livonia +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Livonia
$58,052
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Livonia
4.5%
Livonia +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Livonia
4.7%
Livonia +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Livonia
40.5%
Livonia +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Livonia, MI | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $96,317 | $78,429 | Livonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,588 | $37,315 | Livonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,052 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.2% | Livonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.7% | 10.6% | Livonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.5% | 31.2% | Livonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Livonia
$314,705
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Livonia
87.5%
Livonia +
Sterling Heights
76.4%
| Metric | Livonia, MI | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $314,705 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 87.5% | 76.4% | Livonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Livonia
471
Sterling Heights
471
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Livonia
1590
Sterling Heights
1590
Tie
| Metric | Livonia, MI | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 471 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1590 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Livonia
29.2%
Livonia +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Livonia
9.9%
Livonia +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Livonia
16.2%
Livonia +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Livonia
4.7%
Livonia +
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Livonia
16.8%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Livonia
11.3%
Livonia +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Livonia, MI | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.2% | 36.0% | Livonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.5% | Livonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.2% | Livonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.7% | 6.7% | Livonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 15.3% | Livonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Livonia
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Livonia
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Livonia, MI | 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.)
Livonia
10.7 µg/m³
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Livonia
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Livonia, MI | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Livonia
25.8 min
Livonia +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Livonia, MI | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 27.5 min | Livonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Livonia leads in median household income at $96,317, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Sterling Heights is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Livonia. Livonia has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Sterling Heights has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Livonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.2%.
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