Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 133,473 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 41.5 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 25.0% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 62.9% | 6.6% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 2.4% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,052 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $309,742 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 471 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.4% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 27.5 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Sterling Heights is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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