Scottsdale AZ 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)
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
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
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Scottsdale
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Scottsdale
49.2
Sterling Heights
41.5
Sterling Heights +
Foreign Born
Scottsdale
11.2%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Black
Scottsdale
2.0%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Scottsdale
5.1%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Scottsdale
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 242,169 | 133,473 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 49.2 | 41.5 | Sterling Heights + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 81.8% | 78.9% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 2.0% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 5.1% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 9.4% | 2.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Scottsdale
$59,120
Scottsdale +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,372 | $78,429 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $82,697 | $37,315 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,052 | Scottsdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 6.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 10.6% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 61.5% | 31.2% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Scottsdale
$858,307
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Scottsdale
67.6%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $858,307 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 67.6% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
450
Scottsdale +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
2150
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 471 | Scottsdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 36.0% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.5% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.1% | 17.2% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 6.7% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 16.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 15.3% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 27.5 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Scottsdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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