Providence RI 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)
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
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
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Sterling Heights
27.4%
White
Providence
40.7%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 133,473 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 41.5 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 27.4% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 13.3% | 6.6% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 2.4% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $58,052 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 31.2% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Sterling Heights
1590
| Metric | Providence, RI | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 471 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 1590 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 36.0% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.5% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 15.3% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | 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.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Providence, RI | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 27.5 min | Providence + |
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, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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