Sterling Heights MI vs Torrance CA — 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%
Torrance, CA
California · Population: 95,358
- Median HH Income$118,253
- Median Home Price$1,128,110
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sterling Heights
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Sterling Heights
41.5
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Foreign Born
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Torrance
6.1%
Asian
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Sterling Heights
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | 95,358 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 35.2 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 27.4% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 78.9% | 34.8% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 6.6% | 6.1% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 9.0% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 2.4% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Torrance
5.9%
Torrance +
Poverty Rate
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,429 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,315 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.9% | Torrance + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.2% | 26.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
Torrance
64.0%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,742 | $1,128,110 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.4% | 64.0% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
Torrance
2388
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.6% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Torrance
14.5 in
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 14.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Torrance + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Torrance + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.5 min | 44.9 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, 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 503 in Torrance. Torrance has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Torrance has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Torrance scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.3%.
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