Milwaukee WI 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)
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
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
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 133,473 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 41.5 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 36.5% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 38.6% | 6.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 2.4% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $58,052 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.2% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $309,742 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Sterling Heights
1590
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 471 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1590 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.4% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Milwaukee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 27.5 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Milwaukee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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