Portland ME 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)
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Portland
68,505
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Portland
11.1%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Black
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Portland
3.2%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Portland
3.1%
Portland +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Portland, ME | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,505 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 41.5 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 11.1% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 80.1% | 78.9% | Portland + |
| Black | 9.0% | 6.6% | Portland + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 2.4% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$76,174
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Portland
11.3%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,174 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $52,125 | $37,315 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,587 | $58,052 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.2% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 31.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$561,069
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
46.7%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $561,069 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.7% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
106
Portland +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
1234
Portland +
Sterling Heights
1590
| Metric | Portland, ME | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 106 | 471 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1234 | 1590 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
17.8%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.2%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
18.3%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.7% | 36.0% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.5% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 15.3% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
46.5°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
47.3 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Portland, ME | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Portland, ME | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.4 min | 27.5 min | Portland + |
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, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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