Peoria AZ 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)
Peoria, AZ
Arizona · Population: 194,338
- Median HH Income$93,403
- Median Home Price$488,428
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
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
Peoria
194,338
Peoria +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Peoria
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Peoria
42.1
Sterling Heights
41.5
Sterling Heights +
Foreign Born
Peoria
11.3%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Peoria
72.6%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Peoria
3.4%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Peoria
5.8%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Peoria
19.7%
Peoria +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Peoria
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 194,338 | 133,473 | Peoria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.1 | 41.5 | Sterling Heights + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 72.6% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 3.4% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 2.4% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Peoria
$93,403
Peoria +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Peoria
$45,831
Peoria +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Peoria
$59,120
Peoria +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Peoria
3.5%
Peoria +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Peoria
8.4%
Peoria +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Peoria
35.5%
Peoria +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,403 | $78,429 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,831 | $37,315 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,052 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 6.2% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 10.6% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 31.2% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Peoria
$488,428
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Peoria
75.5%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $488,428 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 75.5% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
450
Peoria +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
2150
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 471 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
29.5%
Peoria +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
10.5%
Peoria +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Peoria
14.5%
Peoria +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Peoria
10.3%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Peoria
15.7%
Peoria +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Peoria
10.6%
Peoria +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.5% | 36.0% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.5% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 17.2% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.4% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.3% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | 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.)
Peoria
7.1 µg/m³
Peoria +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Peoria
75.0%
Peoria +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Peoria + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Peoria
31.2 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $93,403, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Peoria is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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