Saint Paul MN 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)
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
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
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Saint Paul
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Saint Paul
18.7%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Saint Paul
53.2%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Hispanic
Saint Paul
9.1%
Saint Paul +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Saint Paul
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 133,473 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 41.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 53.2% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 16.2% | 6.6% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 17.9% | 9.0% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 2.4% | Saint Paul + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Saint Paul
$73,055
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Saint Paul
15.8%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,055 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,594 | $37,315 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $58,052 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.5% | 31.2% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Saint Paul
53.2%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,021 | $309,742 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
1992
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 471 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Saint Paul
N/A
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | 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.)
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Saint Paul
75.0%
Saint Paul +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Saint Paul + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 27.5 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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