Salem OR 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)
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
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
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Salem
69.8%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Salem
1.6%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 133,473 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 41.5 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 69.8% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 1.6% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 2.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $58,052 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.2% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 31.2% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 471 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.4% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.3% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 27.5 min | Salem + |
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, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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