Roseville 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)
Roseville, CA
California · Population: 50,340
- Median HH Income$72,248
- Median Home Price$650,823
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+21.9%
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
Roseville
50,340
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roseville
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Roseville
44.5
Sterling Heights
41.5
Sterling Heights +
Foreign Born
Roseville
58.6%
Roseville +
Sterling Heights
27.4%
White
Roseville
7.8%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Roseville
0.6%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Roseville
64.9%
Roseville +
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Hispanic
Roseville
29.4%
Roseville +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Roseville
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Roseville, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 50,340 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 44.5 | 41.5 | Sterling Heights + |
| Foreign Born | 58.6% | 27.4% | Roseville + |
| White | 7.8% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 0.6% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 64.9% | 9.0% | Roseville + |
| Hispanic | 29.4% | 2.4% | Roseville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roseville
$72,248
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Roseville
$27,237
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roseville
$77,230
Roseville +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Roseville
5.0%
Roseville +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Roseville
14.1%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Roseville
21.9%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Roseville, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,248 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,237 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Roseville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.2% | Roseville + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.1% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.9% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roseville
$650,823
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Roseville
48.2%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Roseville, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $650,823 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roseville
503
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roseville
2388
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Roseville, 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
Roseville
27.2%
Roseville +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roseville
9.4%
Roseville +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roseville
15.8%
Roseville +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roseville
5.6%
Roseville +
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roseville
16.6%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roseville
9.5%
Roseville +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Roseville, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 36.0% | Roseville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.5% | Roseville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 17.2% | Roseville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.6% | 6.7% | Roseville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 15.3% | Roseville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roseville
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roseville
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Roseville, 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.)
Roseville
7.9 µg/m³
Roseville +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roseville
75.0%
Roseville +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Roseville, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Roseville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Roseville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roseville
30.5 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Roseville, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
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, Sterling Heights is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Roseville. Roseville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Roseville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roseville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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