Macon GA 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)
Macon, GA
Georgia · Population: 61,773
- Median HH Income$70,086
- Median Home Price$171,916
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
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
Macon
61,773
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Macon
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Macon
35.2
Macon +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Macon
18.3%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Macon
43.7%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Macon
2.0%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Macon
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,773 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 41.5 | Macon + |
| Foreign Born | 18.3% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 43.7% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 30.4% | 6.6% | Macon + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 19.8% | 2.4% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Macon
$70,086
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Macon
$57,405
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Sterling Heights +
Unemployment Rate
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Macon
12.7%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,086 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,074 | $37,315 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,052 | Sterling Heights + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.2% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 31.2% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Macon
47.2%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $171,916 | $309,742 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
392
Macon +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
1752
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 471 | Macon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Macon
N/A
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Macon, GA | 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
Macon
64.6°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
45.7 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Macon +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Macon
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Macon, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Macon + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Macon
30.2 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Macon is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Macon has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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