New York NY 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
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 York
8,516,202
New York +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
New York +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
Sterling Heights
27.4%
White
New York
35.9%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
New York
22.7%
New York +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
New York
14.6%
New York +
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
New York +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 133,473 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 41.5 | New York + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 27.4% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 22.7% | 6.6% | New York + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 9.0% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 2.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
New York +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
New York +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
New York +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
New York +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | New York, NY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $78,429 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $37,315 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $58,052 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 31.2% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | New York, NY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
New York +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | New York, NY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 471 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
New York +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
New York +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
New York +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | New York, NY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 36.0% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 17.2% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.3% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
New York +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | New York, NY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | New York + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New York
44.2 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | New York, NY | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, New York is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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