Sterling Heights MI vs Tempe 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sterling Heights
133,473
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sterling Heights
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Sterling Heights
41.5
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Sterling Heights
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 27.4% | 13.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 78.9% | 60.1% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 6.6% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 9.0% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 2.4% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Tempe
$59,120
Tempe +
Unemployment Rate
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,429 | $77,643 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,315 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Tempe + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 16.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.2% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,742 | $468,328 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.4% | 41.6% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
471
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 450 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2150 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 10.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 18.3% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Tempe
9.3 in
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 9.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.5 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
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, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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