Spokane 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, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
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
229,228
Spokane +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Spokane
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Spokane
37.2
Spokane +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Spokane
6.1%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Black
Spokane
2.7%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Spokane
2.9%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Spokane
7.8%
Spokane +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Spokane
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,228 | 133,473 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 41.5 | Spokane + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 81.0% | 78.9% | Spokane + |
| Black | 2.7% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 7.8% | 2.4% | Spokane + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Spokane
$65,745
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Spokane
14.6%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,745 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,200 | $37,315 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $58,052 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.2% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 31.2% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Spokane
$400,636
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Spokane
58.3%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $400,636 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
3409
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 471 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Spokane
18.6%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Spokane
8.2%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Spokane
17.5%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 36.0% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.5% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 15.3% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
46.1°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
17.1 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Spokane
75.0%
Spokane +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Spokane + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 27.5 min | Spokane + |
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 is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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