Sterling Heights MI vs Tyler TX — 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%
Tyler, TX
Texas · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$253,191
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sterling Heights
133,473
Tyler
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sterling Heights
N/A
Tyler
N/A
Median Age
Sterling Heights
41.5
Tyler
N/A
Foreign Born
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Tyler
N/A
White
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Tyler
N/A
Black
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Tyler
N/A
Asian
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Tyler
N/A
Hispanic
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Tyler
N/A
Spanish at Home
Sterling Heights
N/A
Tyler
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tyler, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 27.4% | N/A | - |
| White | 78.9% | N/A | - |
| Black | 6.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 9.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 2.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Tyler
N/A
Per Capita Income
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Tyler
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Tyler
$63,758
Tyler +
Unemployment Rate
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Tyler
N/A
Poverty Rate
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Tyler
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Tyler
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tyler, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,429 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $37,315 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,758 | Tyler + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.2% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Tyler
$253,191
Tyler +
Homeownership Rate
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Tyler
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tyler, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,742 | $253,191 | Tyler + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.4% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
471
Tyler
442
Tyler +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
Tyler
2339
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tyler, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 442 | Tyler + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2339 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Tyler
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Tyler
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
Tyler
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Tyler
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Tyler
15.8%
Tyler +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Tyler
13.3%
Tyler +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tyler, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 37.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 16.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.8% | Tyler + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.3% | Tyler + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Tyler
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Tyler
46.6 in
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tyler, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Tyler
9.2 µg/m³
Tyler +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tyler
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tyler, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tyler + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Tyler
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tyler, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.5 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Tyler offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,191. On public safety, Tyler is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Tyler has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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