Richmond VA 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)
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Richmond
8.6%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Richmond
43.2%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Richmond
2.1%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 133,473 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 41.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 43.2% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 42.0% | 6.6% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 2.4% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$62,671
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Richmond
18.8%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,671 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,249 | $37,315 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $58,052 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.2% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 31.2% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$374,265
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
43.5%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $374,265 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.5% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
1726
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 471 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
36.7%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.3%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
18.8%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
10.7%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.4% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.3% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.9°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
43.6 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 27.5 min | Richmond + |
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, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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