Miami Gardens FL 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)
Miami Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
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
Miami Gardens
11,627
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami Gardens
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Miami Gardens
37.7
Miami Gardens +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
Sterling Heights
27.4%
White
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Miami Gardens +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Miami Gardens
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,627 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 41.5 | Miami Gardens + |
| Foreign Born | 29.1% | 27.4% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 52.5% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 15.3% | 6.6% | Miami Gardens + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 34.0% | 2.4% | Miami Gardens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Miami Gardens +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,873 | $78,429 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,003 | $37,315 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $58,052 | Miami Gardens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.9% | 10.6% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.7% | 31.2% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
Sterling Heights
76.4%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,888 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.7% | 76.4% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
Sterling Heights
1590
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 471 | Miami Gardens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1590 | Miami Gardens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Miami Gardens +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
15.4%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 36.0% | Miami Gardens + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 16.4% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Miami Gardens +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Miami Gardens + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.2 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Miami Gardens is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Miami Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami Gardens scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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