Provo UT 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)
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
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
Provo
114,303
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Provo
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Provo
12.2%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Provo
78.6%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Provo
1.1%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Provo
2.2%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Provo
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 23.7 | 41.5 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 78.6% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 1.1% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 2.4% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Provo
$62,800
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Provo
$26,755
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Provo
$60,713
Provo +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Provo
22.3%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,800 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,755 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $58,052 | Provo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.2% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.3% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.0% | 31.2% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Provo
$486,127
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Provo
39.9%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $486,127 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
245
Provo +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
1931
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 471 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Provo
21.5%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Provo
12.6%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 36.0% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 11.5% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 16.4% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 15.3% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
53.4°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
19.8 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Provo
75.0%
Provo +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Provo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 27.5 min | Provo + |
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, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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