Sterling Heights MI vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sterling Heights
133,473
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sterling Heights
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Sterling Heights
41.5
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
Tampa
19.0%
White
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Tampa
4.8%
Hispanic
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Sterling Heights
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 27.4% | 19.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 78.9% | 51.8% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 6.6% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 9.0% | 4.8% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 2.4% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Tampa
$71,302
Per Capita Income
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,429 | $71,302 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,315 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 15.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.2% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,742 | $376,530 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.4% | 50.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
471
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
1590
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 15.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 73.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Tampa
26.8 min
Tampa +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.5 min | 26.8 min | Tampa + |
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, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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