Pittsburgh PA 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)
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
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
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Pittsburgh +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 133,473 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 41.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 9.3% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 63.7% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 22.5% | 6.6% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 4.2% | 2.4% | Pittsburgh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,137 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,590 | $37,315 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $58,052 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.2% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.8% | 31.2% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $240,538 | $309,742 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
1613
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 471 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Pittsburgh +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Pittsburgh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 27.5 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Pittsburgh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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