Sterling Heights MI vs Waterbury CT — 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%
Waterbury, CT
Connecticut · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$280,921
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sterling Heights
133,473
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sterling Heights
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Sterling Heights
41.5
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Sterling Heights
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Waterbury, CT | 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
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Waterbury, CT | 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 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| 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
Waterbury
$280,921
Waterbury +
Homeownership Rate
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,742 | $280,921 | Waterbury + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.4% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
471
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
1590
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1524 | Waterbury + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 40.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 14.1% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.1% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 18.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Waterbury, CT | 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
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Waterbury +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Waterbury +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Waterbury + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Waterbury + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.5 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Waterbury offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $280,921. On public safety, Waterbury is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Waterbury has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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