Sterling Heights MI vs Waco 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sterling Heights
133,473
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sterling Heights
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Sterling Heights
41.5
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
Waco
9.8%
White
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Sterling Heights
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 27.4% | 9.8% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 78.9% | 54.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 6.6% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 9.0% | 2.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 2.4% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,429 | $51,468 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,315 | $28,819 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 24.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.2% | 28.6% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,742 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.4% | 48.9% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
471
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2339 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 36.8% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 20.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 20.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.5 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Waco 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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