Pembroke Pines FL 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)
Pembroke Pines, FL
Florida · Population: 170,557
- Median HH Income$81,675
- Median Home Price$488,550
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
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
Pembroke Pines
170,557
Pembroke Pines +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pembroke Pines
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Pembroke Pines
43.7
Sterling Heights
41.5
Sterling Heights +
Foreign Born
Pembroke Pines
39.5%
Pembroke Pines +
Sterling Heights
27.4%
White
Pembroke Pines
43.9%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Pembroke Pines
21.2%
Pembroke Pines +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Pembroke Pines
5.0%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Pembroke Pines
47.8%
Pembroke Pines +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Pembroke Pines
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Pembroke Pines, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,557 | 133,473 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 41.5 | Sterling Heights + |
| Foreign Born | 39.5% | 27.4% | Pembroke Pines + |
| White | 43.9% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 21.2% | 6.6% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 47.8% | 2.4% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pembroke Pines
$81,675
Pembroke Pines +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Pembroke Pines
$39,881
Pembroke Pines +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pembroke Pines
$65,328
Pembroke Pines +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Pembroke Pines
4.2%
Pembroke Pines +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Pembroke Pines
10.2%
Pembroke Pines +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pembroke Pines
38.1%
Pembroke Pines +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Pembroke Pines, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,675 | $78,429 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,881 | $37,315 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $58,052 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.2% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.2% | 10.6% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.1% | 31.2% | Pembroke Pines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pembroke Pines
$488,550
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Pembroke Pines
70.8%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Pembroke Pines, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $488,550 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 70.8% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pembroke Pines
324
Pembroke Pines +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pembroke Pines
1453
Pembroke Pines +
Sterling Heights
1590
| Metric | Pembroke Pines, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 471 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1590 | Pembroke Pines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pembroke Pines
29.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pembroke Pines
13.4%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pembroke Pines
14.5%
Pembroke Pines +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pembroke Pines
17.3%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pembroke Pines
14.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pembroke Pines
9.7%
Pembroke Pines +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Pembroke Pines, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.0% | 36.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 17.2% | Pembroke Pines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.4% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.3% | Pembroke Pines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pembroke Pines
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pembroke Pines
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Pembroke Pines, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pembroke Pines
7.2 µg/m³
Pembroke Pines +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pembroke Pines
75.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Pembroke Pines, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Pembroke Pines + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pembroke Pines
33.2 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Pembroke Pines, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.2 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pembroke Pines leads in median household income at $81,675, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Pembroke Pines is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Pembroke Pines has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Pembroke Pines has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pembroke Pines scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Pembroke Pines, FLLos Angeles, CA vs Pembroke Pines, FLChicago, IL vs Pembroke Pines, FLHouston, TX vs Pembroke Pines, FLPembroke Pines, FL vs Phoenix, AZPembroke Pines, FL vs Philadelphia, PA