New Haven CT 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 Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
New Haven
132,893
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Haven
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
New Haven
17.7%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
New Haven
36.8%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
New Haven
5.2%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
New Haven
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,893 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 41.5 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 17.7% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 36.8% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 30.6% | 6.6% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 31.2% | 2.4% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Haven
$53,771
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
New Haven
$34,482
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
New Haven
7.7%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
New Haven
25.0%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,771 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,482 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $58,052 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 31.2% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Haven
$330,564
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
New Haven
28.4%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $330,564 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.4% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
Sterling Heights
1590
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 471 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1590 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
37.9%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
11.7%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Haven
18.9%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.7%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.4% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 15.3% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
52.2°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
47.1 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Haven
75.0%
New Haven +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | New Haven + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 27.5 min | New Haven + |
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 Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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