Sterling Heights MI vs Waukegan IL — 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%
Waukegan, IL
Illinois · Population: 33,889
- Median HH Income$97,263
- Median Home Price$239,865
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sterling Heights
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Sterling Heights
41.5
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Sterling Heights
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | 33,889 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 27.4% | 20.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 78.9% | 61.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 6.6% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 9.0% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 2.4% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,429 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,315 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.2% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
Waukegan
65.5%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,742 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.4% | 65.5% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
471
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1842 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 40.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 14.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 21.3% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Waukegan +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Waukegan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.5 min | 33.7 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while waukegan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $239,865. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Waukegan has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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