Sterling Heights MI vs Visalia CA — 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sterling Heights
133,473
Visalia
135,983
Visalia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sterling Heights
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Sterling Heights
41.5
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
Visalia
20.1%
White
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Asian
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Visalia
4.4%
Hispanic
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Sterling Heights
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | 135,983 | Visalia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 27.4% | 20.1% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 78.9% | 36.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 6.6% | 17.1% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 9.0% | 4.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 2.4% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Visalia
$70,663
Per Capita Income
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,429 | $70,663 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,315 | $26,955 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 11.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 20.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.2% | 12.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Visalia
$397,983
Homeownership Rate
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
Visalia
58.5%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,742 | $397,983 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.4% | 58.5% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
Visalia
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 13.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.8% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Visalia
10.9 in
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Visalia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.5 min | 41.6 min | Sterling Heights + |
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, Sterling Heights is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Visalia. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Visalia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Visalia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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