Rancho Cucamonga CA 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)
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
California · Population: 174,693
- Median HH Income$109,511
- Median Home Price$791,317
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
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
Rancho Cucamonga
174,693
Rancho Cucamonga +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Rancho Cucamonga
37.9
Rancho Cucamonga +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Rancho Cucamonga
21.1%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Rancho Cucamonga
44.0%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Rancho Cucamonga
8.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Rancho Cucamonga
15.4%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Hispanic
Rancho Cucamonga
38.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 174,693 | 133,473 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 41.5 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Foreign Born | 21.1% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 44.0% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 8.3% | 6.6% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Asian | 15.4% | 9.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 2.4% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rancho Cucamonga
$109,511
Rancho Cucamonga +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Rancho Cucamonga
$45,626
Rancho Cucamonga +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rancho Cucamonga
$77,230
Rancho Cucamonga +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Rancho Cucamonga
5.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Rancho Cucamonga
8.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rancho Cucamonga
37.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,511 | $78,429 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,626 | $37,315 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.2% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.0% | 10.6% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 31.2% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rancho Cucamonga
$791,317
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Rancho Cucamonga
63.3%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $791,317 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rancho Cucamonga
503
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rancho Cucamonga
2388
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 471 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
30.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
10.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rancho Cucamonga
16.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
8.8%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
15.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
10.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 36.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 17.2% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.4% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 15.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 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.)
Rancho Cucamonga
7.9 µg/m³
Rancho Cucamonga +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rancho Cucamonga
75.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rancho Cucamonga
34.6 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.6 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rancho Cucamonga leads in median household income at $109,511, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Sterling Heights is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Rancho Cucamonga. Rancho Cucamonga has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Rancho Cucamonga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rancho Cucamonga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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