Pasadena CA 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)
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
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
Pasadena
67,231
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
42.5
Sterling Heights
41.5
Sterling Heights +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
Sterling Heights
27.4%
White
Pasadena
48.4%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Pasadena
2.2%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Hispanic
Pasadena
7.1%
Pasadena +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,231 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 41.5 | Sterling Heights + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 27.4% | Pasadena + |
| White | 48.4% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 2.2% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 36.1% | 9.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | 2.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $220,408 | $78,429 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $121,565 | $37,315 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 6.2% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.4% | 10.6% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 82.4% | 31.2% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
54.2%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,215,642 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
503
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2388
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 471 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
8.2%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
15.4%
Pasadena +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 36.0% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.5% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 17.2% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 16.4% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 15.3% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
67.0°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
21.2 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
75.0%
Pasadena +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Pasadena + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 27.5 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Sterling Heights is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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