Raleigh NC 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)
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
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
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Raleigh
53.8%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 133,473 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 41.5 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 53.8% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 27.5% | 6.6% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 4.7% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 2.4% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | $78,429 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | $37,315 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,052 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.2% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | 31.2% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 471 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 36.0% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 17.2% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.4% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 27.5 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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