Sterling Heights MI vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sterling Heights
133,473
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sterling Heights
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Sterling Heights
41.5
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Syracuse
6.8%
Hispanic
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Sterling Heights
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 27.4% | 12.1% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 78.9% | 51.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 6.6% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 9.0% | 6.8% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 2.4% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,429 | $45,845 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,315 | $27,570 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 7.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 29.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.2% | 30.5% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,742 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.4% | 41.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
471
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 434 | Syracuse + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1736 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 41.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 20.8% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 9.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.1% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Syracuse
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.5 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Syracuse is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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