Sterling Heights MI vs Vancouver WA — 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sterling Heights
133,473
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sterling Heights
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Sterling Heights
41.5
Vancouver
37.5
Vancouver +
Foreign Born
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
Vancouver
13.6%
White
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Vancouver
70.6%
Black
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Vancouver
5.3%
Hispanic
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Vancouver
17.2%
Vancouver +
Spanish at Home
Sterling Heights
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 37.5 | Vancouver + |
| Foreign Born | 27.4% | 13.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 78.9% | 70.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 6.6% | 3.1% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 9.0% | 5.3% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 2.4% | 17.2% | Vancouver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Vancouver
$78,156
Per Capita Income
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Vancouver
11.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,429 | $78,156 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,315 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 11.1% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.2% | 31.5% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,742 | $510,577 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.4% | 49.9% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
471
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3409 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Vancouver
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Vancouver
16.3%
Vancouver +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 36.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.1% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 9.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.3% | Vancouver + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Vancouver
52.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Vancouver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Vancouver
25.1 min
Vancouver +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.5 min | 25.1 min | Vancouver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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