Mesa AZ 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)
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
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
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 133,473 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 41.5 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 69.7% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 4.4% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 2.4% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Mesa +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $78,429 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $37,315 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,052 | Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 6.2% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 31.2% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 471 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 36.0% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.5% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 17.2% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.4% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.3% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 27.5 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
Compare More Cities
Mesa, AZ vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Mesa, AZChicago, IL vs Mesa, AZHouston, TX vs Mesa, AZMesa, AZ vs Phoenix, AZMesa, AZ vs Philadelphia, PA