CityCompare

Salt Lake City UT 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)

Salt Lake City, UT

Utah · Population: 203,888

  • Median HH Income$74,925
  • Median Home Price$580,126
  • Unemployment3.8%
  • Bachelor's+50.9%

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
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salt Lake City
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Salt Lake City
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
Sterling Heights
31.2%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
1931
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Sterling Heights
15.3%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Sterling Heights
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Salt Lake City +
Sterling Heights
55.0%

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min

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, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.

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About Salt Lake City & Sterling Heights

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