Sterling Heights MI vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sterling Heights
133,473
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sterling Heights
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Sterling Heights
41.5
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Virginia Beach +
Spanish at Home
Sterling Heights
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 27.4% | 9.1% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 78.9% | 61.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 6.6% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 9.0% | 7.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 2.4% | 8.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,429 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,315 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.2% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
Virginia Beach
64.9%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,742 | $427,121 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.4% | 64.9% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
471
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
Virginia Beach
1726
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1726 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 36.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.8% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 8.3% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.5 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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