North Las Vegas NV 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)
North Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 186,178
- Median HH Income$58,874
- Median Home Price$407,146
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+23.9%
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
North Las Vegas
186,178
North Las Vegas +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Las Vegas
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
North Las Vegas
39.0
North Las Vegas +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
North Las Vegas
26.0%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
North Las Vegas
43.6%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
North Las Vegas
11.3%
North Las Vegas +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
North Las Vegas
11.4%
North Las Vegas +
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Hispanic
North Las Vegas
34.6%
North Las Vegas +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
North Las Vegas
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,178 | 133,473 | North Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 41.5 | North Las Vegas + |
| Foreign Born | 26.0% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 43.6% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 11.3% | 6.6% | North Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 9.0% | North Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 34.6% | 2.4% | North Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Las Vegas
$58,874
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
North Las Vegas
$35,069
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Las Vegas
$62,696
North Las Vegas +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
North Las Vegas
9.4%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
North Las Vegas
16.8%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Las Vegas
23.9%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,874 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,069 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $58,052 | North Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.9% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Las Vegas
$407,146
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
North Las Vegas
41.2%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $407,146 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Las Vegas
460
North Las Vegas +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Las Vegas
2417
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 471 | North Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
33.8%
North Las Vegas +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
12.2%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Las Vegas
20.7%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
19.6%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
15.6%
North Las Vegas +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
16.1%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 36.0% | North Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.4% | North Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Las Vegas
68.8°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Las Vegas
4.7 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 4.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
North Las Vegas +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Las Vegas
75.0%
North Las Vegas +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | North Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | North Las Vegas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Las Vegas
24.6 min
North Las Vegas +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 27.5 min | North Las Vegas + |
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, North Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and North Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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