Pueblo CO 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)
Pueblo, CO
Colorado · Population: 111,514
- Median HH Income$55,305
- Median Home Price$286,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
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
Pueblo
111,514
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pueblo
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Pueblo
38.1
Pueblo +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Pueblo
4.0%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Pueblo
70.3%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Pueblo
2.7%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Pueblo
0.8%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Pueblo
48.4%
Pueblo +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Pueblo
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,514 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 41.5 | Pueblo + |
| Foreign Born | 4.0% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 70.3% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 2.7% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 2.4% | Pueblo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pueblo
$55,305
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Pueblo
$30,949
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pueblo
$76,653
Pueblo +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Pueblo
5.9%
Pueblo +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Pueblo
19.2%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pueblo
22.8%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,305 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,949 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $58,052 | Pueblo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.2% | Pueblo + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.8% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pueblo
$286,326
Pueblo +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Pueblo
60.8%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,326 | $309,742 | Pueblo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.8% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pueblo
512
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pueblo
3234
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 471 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
33.5%
Pueblo +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
13.5%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pueblo
18.0%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
18.9%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
15.6%
Pueblo +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
15.1%
Pueblo +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 36.0% | Pueblo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.9% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.4% | Pueblo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.3% | Pueblo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pueblo
53.7°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pueblo
13.0 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pueblo
6.2 µg/m³
Pueblo +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pueblo
75.0%
Pueblo +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Pueblo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Pueblo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pueblo
21.1 min
Pueblo +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 27.5 min | Pueblo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while pueblo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,326. On public safety, Sterling Heights is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Pueblo. Pueblo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Pueblo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pueblo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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