Roswell GA 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)
Roswell, GA
Georgia · Population: 92,577
- Median HH Income$124,422
- Median Home Price$662,209
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
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
Roswell
92,577
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roswell
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Roswell
40.0
Roswell +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Roswell
18.7%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Roswell
65.0%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Roswell
11.1%
Roswell +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Roswell
4.5%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Roswell
16.8%
Roswell +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Roswell
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,577 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 41.5 | Roswell + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 65.0% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 11.1% | 6.6% | Roswell + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 16.8% | 2.4% | Roswell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roswell
$57,405
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Sterling Heights +
Unemployment Rate
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $124,422 | $78,429 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $65,454 | $37,315 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,052 | Sterling Heights + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.2% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 10.6% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.8% | 31.2% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roswell
$662,209
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Roswell
71.2%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $662,209 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roswell
392
Roswell +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roswell
1752
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 471 | Roswell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roswell
9.9%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roswell
17.4%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.6% | 36.0% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.5% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 17.2% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 15.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roswell
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roswell
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Roswell, GA | 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.)
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Roswell +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roswell
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Roswell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roswell
29.6 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Roswell is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Roswell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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