Reno NV 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)
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
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
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Reno
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Reno
37.3
Reno +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Reno
16.1%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Reno
63.5%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Reno
3.2%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Reno
7.0%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Reno
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Reno, NV | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,959 | 133,473 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 41.5 | Reno + |
| Foreign Born | 16.1% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 63.5% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 3.2% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 7.0% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 24.6% | 2.4% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Reno
12.5%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Reno, NV | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,448 | $78,429 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,180 | $37,315 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $58,052 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.2% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.7% | 31.2% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Reno
$570,934
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Reno
49.4%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,934 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
460
Reno +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
2417
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 471 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Reno
18.5%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Reno
13.0%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Reno
18.9%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Reno, NV | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 36.0% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.9% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 15.3% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
53.0°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
8.3 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Reno, NV | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Reno
75.0%
Reno +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Reno, NV | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Reno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Reno, NV | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 27.5 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Reno is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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