Louisville 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)
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
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
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Louisville
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Louisville
37.7
Louisville +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Louisville
9.8%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Louisville
63.1%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Louisville
2.6%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Louisville
8.6%
Louisville +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Louisville
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 627,210 | 133,473 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 41.5 | Louisville + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 63.1% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 23.7% | 6.6% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 2.4% | Louisville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Louisville
$64,731
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Louisville
$52,606
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Sterling Heights +
Unemployment Rate
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Louisville
16.1%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Louisville
33.4%
Louisville +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,731 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,890 | $37,315 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $58,052 | Sterling Heights + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.2% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.1% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.4% | 31.2% | Louisville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Louisville
60.6%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,957 | $309,742 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.6% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
Sterling Heights
1590
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 471 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1590 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Louisville
N/A
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Louisville, 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
Louisville
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
43.3 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Louisville
75.0%
Louisville +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Louisville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 27.5 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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