Santa Rosa 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 Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
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 Rosa
129,239
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Rosa
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
Sterling Heights
27.4%
White
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Hispanic
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Santa Rosa
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 41.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 45.4% | 27.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 31.9% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 2.1% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 47.6% | 9.0% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 2.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $173,670 | $78,429 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $84,533 | $37,315 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.2% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | 10.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.3% | 31.2% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Rosa
41.2%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $720,443 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Rosa
503
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Rosa
2388
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Santa Rosa, 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 Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 36.0% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 17.2% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 15.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Santa Rosa +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Santa Rosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 27.5 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, 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 Rosa. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Santa Rosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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