Sterling Heights MI vs Stockton CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Stockton, CA
California · Population: 320,470
- Median HH Income$76,851
- Median Home Price$431,297
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+19.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sterling Heights
133,473
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sterling Heights
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Sterling Heights
41.5
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Foreign Born
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
Stockton
25.9%
White
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Stockton
11.6%
Stockton +
Asian
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
Sterling Heights
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | 320,470 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 33.7 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 27.4% | 25.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 78.9% | 26.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 6.6% | 11.6% | Stockton + |
| Asian | 9.0% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 2.4% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Stockton
$76,851
Per Capita Income
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Stockton
$31,279
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Stockton
15.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,429 | $76,851 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,315 | $31,279 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 8.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 15.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.2% | 19.1% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Stockton
$431,297
Homeownership Rate
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
Stockton
53.2%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,742 | $431,297 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.4% | 53.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Stockton
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
Stockton
2388
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Stockton
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
Stockton
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Stockton
13.8%
Stockton +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 31.8% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.1% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 15.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.8% | Stockton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Stockton
17.8 in
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 17.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Stockton +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Stockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.5 min | 33.2 min | Sterling Heights + |
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, Sterling Heights is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Stockton. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Stockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stockton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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