Sterling Heights MI vs Thornton CO — 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%
Thornton, CO
Colorado · Population: 142,878
- Median HH Income$100,985
- Median Home Price$505,085
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sterling Heights
133,473
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sterling Heights
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Sterling Heights
41.5
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Sterling Heights
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 27.4% | 14.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 78.9% | 63.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 6.6% | 2.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 9.0% | 5.8% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 2.4% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,429 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,315 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.2% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
Thornton
73.1%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,742 | $505,085 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.4% | 73.1% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 512 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3234 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 15.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Thornton, CO | 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
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thornton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.5 min | 32.8 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Sterling Heights is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Thornton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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