Modesto CA 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)
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
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
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Modesto
50.8%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 133,473 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 41.5 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 50.8% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 4.7% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 2.4% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 471 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.3% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Modesto + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Sterling Heights is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
Compare More Cities
Modesto, CA vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Modesto, CAChicago, IL vs Modesto, CAHouston, TX vs Modesto, CAModesto, CA vs Phoenix, AZModesto, CA vs Philadelphia, PA