Norfolk VA 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)
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
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
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 133,473 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 41.5 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 44.0% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 39.8% | 6.6% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 2.4% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $37,315 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $58,052 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.2% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 31.2% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 471 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.3% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 27.5 min | Norfolk + |
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, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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