San Antonio TX 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)
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
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
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Antonio
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
San Antonio
14.3%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
San Antonio
48.3%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
San Antonio
7.0%
San Antonio +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
San Antonio
3.1%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
San Antonio
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 133,473 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 41.5 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 14.3% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 48.3% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 7.0% | 6.6% | San Antonio + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 64.4% | 2.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Antonio
$62,917
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
San Antonio
$32,983
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
San Antonio
5.8%
San Antonio +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
San Antonio
17.1%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Antonio
28.7%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,917 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,983 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,052 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.2% | San Antonio + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.1% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
San Antonio
52.4%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,035 | $309,742 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.4% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Antonio
442
San Antonio +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Antonio
2339
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 471 | San Antonio + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
15.2%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Antonio
17.2%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
24.5%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
16.0%
San Antonio +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.9% | 36.0% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.2% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.4% | San Antonio + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.3% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Antonio
68.5°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Antonio
34.9 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
San Antonio +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Antonio
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | San Antonio + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Antonio
26.5 min
San Antonio +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 27.5 min | San Antonio + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, San Antonio is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. San Antonio has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and San Antonio has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
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