Newark NJ 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)
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
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
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Sterling Heights
27.4%
White
Newark
16.5%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 133,473 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 41.5 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 27.4% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 46.7% | 6.6% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 2.4% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $58,052 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Sterling Heights
1590
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 471 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1590 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 36.0% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.4% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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