Sterling Heights MI vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sterling Heights
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Sterling Heights
41.5
Topeka
38.2
Topeka +
Foreign Born
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Topeka
71.0%
Black
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Sterling Heights
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | 126,103 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 38.2 | Topeka + |
| Foreign Born | 27.4% | 5.3% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 78.9% | 71.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 6.6% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 9.0% | 1.8% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 2.4% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,429 | $55,902 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,315 | $33,290 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 15.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.2% | 29.1% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,742 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.4% | 59.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
471
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 449 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2174 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 39.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.1% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 11.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.9% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.5 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Topeka is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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