Sterling Heights MI vs Sunnyvale 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sunnyvale
153,455
Sunnyvale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sterling Heights
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Sterling Heights
41.5
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Foreign Born
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
Sterling Heights
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | 153,455 | Sunnyvale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 35.1 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 27.4% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 78.9% | 30.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 6.6% | 1.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 9.0% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 2.4% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,429 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,315 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.2% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,742 | $2,144,024 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.4% | 43.8% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Sunnyvale, 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%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Sunnyvale, CA | 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.)
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sunnyvale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.5 min | 25.3 min | Sunnyvale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, 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 Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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