Stamford CT 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)
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Stamford
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Stamford
38.2
Stamford +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
Sterling Heights
27.4%
White
Stamford
49.1%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Stamford
7.1%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Stamford
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,806 | 133,473 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 41.5 | Stamford + |
| Foreign Born | 31.8% | 27.4% | Stamford + |
| White | 49.1% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 19.9% | 6.6% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 28.1% | 2.4% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,474 | $78,429 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,382 | $37,315 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $58,052 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.2% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 10.6% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 31.2% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Stamford
$708,498
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Stamford
47.5%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $708,498 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
Sterling Heights
1590
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 471 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1590 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Stamford
12.3%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Stamford
16.4%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.5% | 36.0% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 11.5% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 17.2% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.4% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 15.3% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stamford
52.3°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stamford
53.2 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Stamford
75.0%
Stamford +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Stamford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Stamford
30.1 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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