Phoenix 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)
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
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
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 133,473 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 41.5 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 53.7% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 7.8% | 6.6% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 2.4% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $37,315 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,052 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.2% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 31.2% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 471 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 36.0% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 11.5% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.4% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.3% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
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, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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