Roanoke 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)
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
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
Roanoke
98,677
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Roanoke +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 41.5 | Roanoke + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 57.5% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 29.0% | 6.6% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 2.4% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $58,052 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.2% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $309,742 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 471 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
41.9%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.4% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 27.5 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke 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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