Minneapolis MN 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)
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
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
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Minneapolis
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Minneapolis
14.1%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Minneapolis
61.6%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Minneapolis
5.2%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Minneapolis
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 133,473 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 41.5 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 61.6% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 18.3% | 6.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 2.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Minneapolis
16.4%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,269 | $78,429 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,605 | $37,315 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $58,052 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.4% | 31.2% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Minneapolis
$334,719
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Minneapolis
48.0%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $334,719 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.0% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
1992
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 471 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
9.9%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
19.8%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 36.0% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 11.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 17.2% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 15.3% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Minneapolis
75.0%
Minneapolis +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Minneapolis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 27.5 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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