Springfield MA 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)
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
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
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Springfield
10.2%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Springfield
40.8%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Springfield
2.8%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,751 | 133,473 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 41.5 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 40.8% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 20.0% | 6.6% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 47.4% | 2.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$51,339
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$27,054
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
8.2%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
Springfield
25.3%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
19.7%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,339 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,054 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $58,052 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.3% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.7% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
49.5%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $298,985 | $309,742 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.5% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
Sterling Heights
1590
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 471 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1590 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
39.6%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.8%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
21.1%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
13.7%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.5%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.4% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MA | 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.)
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
75.0%
Springfield +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Springfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 27.5 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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