Santa Clarita 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 Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
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 Clarita
229,021
Santa Clarita +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Clarita
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Santa Clarita
38.1
Santa Clarita +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Hispanic
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Santa Clarita
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,021 | 133,473 | Santa Clarita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 41.5 | Santa Clarita + |
| Foreign Born | 21.6% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 53.1% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 4.4% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 9.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 36.0% | 2.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Santa Clarita +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Santa Clarita +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,926 | $78,429 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,571 | $37,315 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.2% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 10.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.3% | 31.2% | Santa Clarita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $802,780 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.0% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Clarita
503
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Clarita
2388
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Santa Clarita, 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 Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.7% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 11.5% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.2% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.3% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Clarita
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Clarita
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Santa Clarita +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Santa Clarita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 37.4 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, 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 Clarita. Santa Clarita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Santa Clarita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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