New Braunfels TX 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)
New Braunfels, TX
Texas · Population: 267
- Median HH Income$74,643
- Median Home Price$352,129
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+1.8%
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
New Braunfels
267
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Braunfels
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
New Braunfels
39.4
New Braunfels +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
New Braunfels
8.2%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
New Braunfels
84.3%
New Braunfels +
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Black
New Braunfels
0.0%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
New Braunfels
0.0%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
New Braunfels
15.7%
New Braunfels +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
New Braunfels
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 267 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.4 | 41.5 | New Braunfels + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 84.3% | 78.9% | New Braunfels + |
| Black | 0.0% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 0.0% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 15.7% | 2.4% | New Braunfels + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Braunfels
$74,643
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
New Braunfels
$21,360
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Braunfels
$63,758
New Braunfels +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
New Braunfels
N/A
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
New Braunfels
N/A
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Braunfels
1.8%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,643 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,360 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,052 | New Braunfels + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.2% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 1.8% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Braunfels
$352,129
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
New Braunfels
90.8%
New Braunfels +
Sterling Heights
76.4%
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $352,129 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 90.8% | 76.4% | New Braunfels + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
442
New Braunfels +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
2339
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 471 | New Braunfels + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
34.6%
New Braunfels +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
10.6%
New Braunfels +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Braunfels
16.0%
New Braunfels +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
15.2%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
19.1%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
11.0%
New Braunfels +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 36.0% | New Braunfels + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.5% | New Braunfels + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.2% | New Braunfels + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 15.3% | New Braunfels + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Braunfels
67.4°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Braunfels
34.0 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
9.2 µg/m³
New Braunfels +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Braunfels
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | New Braunfels + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Braunfels
19.6 min
New Braunfels +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.6 min | 27.5 min | New Braunfels + |
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, New Braunfels is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. New Braunfels has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Braunfels scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
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