Sterling Heights MI vs Toledo OH — 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%
Toledo, OH
Ohio · Population: 268,461
- Median HH Income$47,532
- Median Home Price$130,101
- Unemployment8.5%
- Bachelor's+21.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sterling Heights
133,473
Toledo
268,461
Toledo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sterling Heights
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
Sterling Heights
41.5
Toledo
35.7
Toledo +
Foreign Born
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
Toledo
3.4%
White
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Toledo
58.7%
Black
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Toledo
28.7%
Toledo +
Asian
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Toledo
8.9%
Toledo +
Spanish at Home
Sterling Heights
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | 268,461 | Toledo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 35.7 | Toledo + |
| Foreign Born | 27.4% | 3.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 78.9% | 58.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 6.6% | 28.7% | Toledo + |
| Asian | 9.0% | 1.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 2.4% | 8.9% | Toledo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Toledo
$47,532
Per Capita Income
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Toledo
$27,407
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Toledo
$58,300
Toledo +
Unemployment Rate
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Toledo
8.5%
Poverty Rate
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Toledo
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
Toledo
21.0%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,429 | $47,532 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,315 | $27,407 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,300 | Toledo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 8.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 24.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.2% | 21.0% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Homeownership Rate
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
Toledo
52.7%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,742 | $130,101 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.4% | 52.7% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
471
Toledo
319
Toledo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
Toledo
1866
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 319 | Toledo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1866 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Toledo
39.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Toledo
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
Toledo
20.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Toledo
11.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Toledo
14.9%
Toledo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
Toledo
19.9%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 39.3% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 15.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 20.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 11.3% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.9% | Toledo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 19.9% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Toledo
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Toledo
33.4 in
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 33.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Toledo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Toledo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Toledo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Toledo
21.3 min
Toledo +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.5 min | 21.3 min | Toledo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while toledo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $130,101. On public safety, Toledo is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Toledo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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