Springfield MO 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
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
169,432
Springfield +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Springfield
3.8%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Black
Springfield
4.3%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Springfield
1.7%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Springfield
5.6%
Springfield +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,432 | 133,473 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 41.5 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 85.2% | 78.9% | Springfield + |
| Black | 4.3% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 2.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$45,984
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$30,864
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$58,527
Springfield +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Springfield
19.4%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
30.3%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,984 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,864 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $58,052 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.2% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.4% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
42.9%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,279 | $309,742 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.9% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
501
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
2418
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 471 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
37.7%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
20.0%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
10.0%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.1%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.5% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.4% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
56.3°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
45.6 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Springfield +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.5 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 $245,279. On public safety, Sterling Heights is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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