Oklahoma City OK 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)
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
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
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oklahoma City
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Oklahoma City
35.0
Oklahoma City +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Oklahoma City +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Oklahoma City
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 133,473 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 41.5 | Oklahoma City + |
| Foreign Born | 12.0% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 58.4% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 13.4% | 6.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 21.7% | 2.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Sterling Heights +
Unemployment Rate
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Oklahoma City +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,702 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,109 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $58,052 | Sterling Heights + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.0% | 31.2% | Oklahoma City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $207,961 | $309,742 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
429
Oklahoma City +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
2375
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 471 | Oklahoma City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Oklahoma City +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.3% | Oklahoma City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Oklahoma City +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Oklahoma City +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Oklahoma City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Oklahoma City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Oklahoma City +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 27.5 min | Oklahoma City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Oklahoma City is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Oklahoma City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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