Sacramento 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)
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
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
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sacramento
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Sacramento
35.7
Sacramento +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Sacramento
21.3%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Sacramento
36.8%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Sacramento
12.4%
Sacramento +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Hispanic
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Sacramento
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 133,473 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 41.5 | Sacramento + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 36.8% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 12.4% | 6.6% | Sacramento + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 9.0% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 29.5% | 2.4% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Sacramento
6.2%
Sacramento +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Sacramento
14.4%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,753 | $78,429 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,300 | $37,315 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 6.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 31.2% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sacramento
$480,548
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Sacramento
51.5%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $480,548 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
503
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
2388
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Sacramento, 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
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sacramento
17.9%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
10.0%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 36.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.5% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.4% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.3% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
61.0°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sacramento
75.0%
Sacramento +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Sacramento + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sacramento
27.0 min
Sacramento +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 27.5 min | Sacramento + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, 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 Sacramento. Sacramento has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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