Sterling Heights MI vs Tulsa OK — 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%
Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 412,322
- Median HH Income$58,407
- Median Home Price$220,279
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+33.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sterling Heights
133,473
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sterling Heights
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Sterling Heights
41.5
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Sterling Heights
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 27.4% | 11.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 78.9% | 57.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 6.6% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 9.0% | 3.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 2.4% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Sterling Heights +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Poverty Rate
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,429 | $58,407 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,315 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $57,929 | Sterling Heights + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 6.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 18.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.2% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,742 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.4% | 52.0% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
471
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2375 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 37.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.8% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.8% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 14.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tulsa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.5 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Tulsa is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Tulsa has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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