Sterling Heights MI vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sterling Heights
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Sterling Heights
41.5
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Tuscaloosa +
Spanish at Home
Sterling Heights
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | 107,699 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 27.4% | 4.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 78.9% | 49.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 6.6% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 9.0% | 2.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 2.4% | 5.2% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Sterling Heights +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,429 | $48,536 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,315 | $31,324 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $51,690 | Sterling Heights + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 7.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 23.8% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.2% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,742 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.4% | 45.1% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
471
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
Tuscaloosa
1734
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1734 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 42.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 21.3% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.5 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Tuscaloosa 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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