Salinas 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)
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
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
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salinas
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
Sterling Heights
27.4%
White
Salinas
21.8%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Salinas
1.4%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Salinas
5.7%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Salinas
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,993 | 133,473 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 41.5 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 27.4% | Salinas + |
| White | 21.8% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 1.4% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 80.3% | 2.4% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Salinas
$28,813
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Salinas
14.2%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salinas
15.5%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $89,150 | $78,429 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,813 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.2% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 15.5% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salinas
$751,711
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Salinas
47.0%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $751,711 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.0% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
503
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
2388
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Salinas, 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
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.4%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salinas
18.2%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salinas
22.4%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salinas
16.8%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.8% | 36.0% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.3% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
57.3°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
15.5 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salinas
28.8 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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