South Bend IN 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)
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
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
South Bend
102,866
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
South Bend
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
South Bend
8.9%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
South Bend
54.1%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
South Bend
1.7%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
South Bend
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 41.5 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 8.9% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 54.1% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 24.4% | 6.6% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 2.4% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
South Bend
$52,512
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
South Bend
$29,511
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
South Bend
22.6%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
South Bend
29.4%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,512 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,511 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $58,052 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.2% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
South Bend
58.8%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $194,972 | $309,742 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.8% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
1719
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 471 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
39.7%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.2%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
South Bend
20.3%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
South Bend
12.6%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
South Bend
18.2%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.4% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
49.8°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
38.0 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
South Bend +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
South Bend
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | South Bend + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 27.5 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and South Bend has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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