Spokane Valley WA 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)
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
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
Spokane Valley
105,460
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Spokane Valley
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Spokane Valley
37.6
Spokane Valley +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Spokane Valley
5.1%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Black
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spokane Valley +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Spokane Valley
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,460 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 41.5 | Spokane Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 85.1% | 78.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 1.4% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 2.4% | Spokane Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Spokane Valley +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Spokane Valley
24.8%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,722 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,235 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $58,052 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.2% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.9% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.8% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,734 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane Valley
3409
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 471 | Spokane Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Spokane Valley +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 36.0% | Spokane Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.3% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane Valley
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane Valley
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | 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.)
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Spokane Valley +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Spokane Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.4 min | 27.5 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Spokane Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Spokane Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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