Plymouth MN 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)
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
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
Plymouth
79,526
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Plymouth
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Plymouth
40.7
Plymouth +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Plymouth
13.6%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Plymouth
74.8%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Plymouth
5.0%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Hispanic
Plymouth
4.7%
Plymouth +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Plymouth
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,526 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 41.5 | Plymouth + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 74.8% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 5.0% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 10.1% | 9.0% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 2.4% | Plymouth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Plymouth
$69,467
Plymouth +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $133,865 | $78,429 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $69,839 | $37,315 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $58,052 | Plymouth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.0% | 6.2% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 10.6% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.8% | 31.2% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Plymouth
$514,358
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Plymouth
74.7%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $514,358 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.7% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plymouth
1992
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 471 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
18.5%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.1% | 36.0% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 11.5% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.7% | 17.2% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 6.7% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 15.3% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plymouth
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plymouth
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | 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.)
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Plymouth +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Plymouth
75.0%
Plymouth +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Plymouth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Plymouth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Plymouth
24.5 min
Plymouth +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 27.5 min | Plymouth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Plymouth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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