Lubbock 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)
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
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
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Lubbock +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 133,473 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 41.5 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 64.6% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 8.3% | 6.6% | Lubbock + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 2.4% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Lubbock +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,052 | Lubbock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.2% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 31.2% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $309,742 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Lubbock +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 471 | Lubbock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 36.0% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.3% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Lubbock +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Lubbock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 27.5 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Lubbock is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Lubbock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
Compare More Cities
Lubbock, TX vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Lubbock, TXChicago, IL vs Lubbock, TXHouston, TX vs Lubbock, TXLubbock, TX vs Phoenix, AZLubbock, TX vs Philadelphia, PA