Sterling Heights MI vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sterling Heights
133,473
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sterling Heights
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Sterling Heights
41.5
Sterling Heights +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Surprise
75.0%
Black
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Sterling Heights
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 41.6 | Sterling Heights + |
| Foreign Born | 27.4% | 6.8% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 78.9% | 75.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 6.6% | 4.8% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 9.0% | 2.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 2.4% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Unemployment Rate
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,429 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,315 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.2% | 31.0% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,742 | $422,520 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.4% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
471
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 450 | Surprise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2150 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 10.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.5 min | 32.8 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Surprise is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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