Sterling Heights MI vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sterling Heights
133,473
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sterling Heights
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Sterling Heights
41.5
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Tacoma
8.8%
Hispanic
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Sterling Heights
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 27.4% | 12.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 78.9% | 59.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 6.6% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 9.0% | 8.8% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 2.4% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Tacoma
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,429 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,315 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 12.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.2% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,742 | $496,966 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.4% | 56.5% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
471
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3409 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Tacoma
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 37.3% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 9.3% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.8% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.5 min | 31.1 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Sterling Heights, MILos Angeles, CA vs Sterling Heights, MIChicago, IL vs Sterling Heights, MIHouston, TX vs Sterling Heights, MIPhoenix, AZ vs Sterling Heights, MIPhiladelphia, PA vs Sterling Heights, MI