Manchester NH 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)
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Manchester
115,415
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Manchester +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Manchester
76.7%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 41.5 | Manchester + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 76.7% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 5.3% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 2.4% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $37,315 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $58,052 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 6.2% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 31.2% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
Sterling Heights
1590
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 471 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 1590 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 36.0% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.5% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.4% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.3% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Manchester +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Manchester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 27.5 min | Manchester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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