McKinney 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)
McKinney, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$487,346
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
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
McKinney
148,848
McKinney +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
McKinney
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
McKinney
33.4
McKinney +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
McKinney
21.0%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
McKinney
37.8%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
McKinney
24.7%
McKinney +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
McKinney
3.0%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
McKinney
44.7%
McKinney +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
McKinney
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,848 | 133,473 | McKinney + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 41.5 | McKinney + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 37.8% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 24.7% | 6.6% | McKinney + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 44.7% | 2.4% | McKinney + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
McKinney
$71,843
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
McKinney
$29,291
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
McKinney
$63,758
McKinney +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
McKinney
4.8%
McKinney +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
McKinney
12.4%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
McKinney
18.5%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,843 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,291 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,052 | McKinney + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.2% | McKinney + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.5% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
McKinney
$487,346
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
McKinney
63.2%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $487,346 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
McKinney
442
McKinney +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
McKinney
2339
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 471 | McKinney + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
McKinney
33.9%
McKinney +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
McKinney
9.1%
McKinney +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
McKinney
10.9%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
McKinney
18.3%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
McKinney
9.9%
McKinney +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 36.0% | McKinney + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.5% | McKinney + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.7% | 17.2% | McKinney + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.3% | McKinney + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
McKinney
64.2°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
McKinney
40.0 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
McKinney +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
McKinney
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | McKinney + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
McKinney
35.6 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.6 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
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, McKinney is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. McKinney has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and McKinney has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, McKinney scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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