Santa Ana 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)
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
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
Santa Ana
91,535
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Ana
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Santa Ana
42.9
Sterling Heights
41.5
Sterling Heights +
Foreign Born
Santa Ana
23.2%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Santa Ana
66.9%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Santa Ana
4.9%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Hispanic
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Santa Ana
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,535 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 41.5 | Sterling Heights + |
| Foreign Born | 23.2% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 66.9% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 4.9% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 9.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 16.4% | 2.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Santa Ana
6.1%
Santa Ana +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Santa Ana
11.6%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,739 | $78,429 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,657 | $37,315 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.2% | Santa Ana + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 68.9% | 31.2% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Ana
$865,610
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Ana
28.8%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $865,610 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
503
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
2388
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Santa Ana, 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
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
13.0%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Ana
18.7%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
20.7%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.0% | 36.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 15.3% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Santa Ana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. Santa Ana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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