Sterling Heights MI vs West Covina 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%
West Covina, CA
California · Population: 107,436
- Median HH Income$98,570
- Median Home Price$851,613
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+29.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
West Covina
107,436
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sterling Heights
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Sterling Heights
41.5
West Covina
40.1
West Covina +
Foreign Born
Sterling Heights
27.4%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
Sterling Heights
9.0%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Sterling Heights
2.4%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Sterling Heights
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | 107,436 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 40.1 | West Covina + |
| Foreign Born | 27.4% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 78.9% | 20.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 6.6% | 4.1% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 9.0% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 2.4% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sterling Heights
$78,429
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
Sterling Heights
$37,315
West Covina
$38,100
West Covina +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sterling Heights
$58,052
West Covina
$77,230
West Covina +
Unemployment Rate
Sterling Heights
6.2%
West Covina
6.2%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Sterling Heights
10.6%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
West Covina
29.8%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,429 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,315 | $38,100 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | West Covina + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 6.2% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.2% | 29.8% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
West Covina
60.8%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,742 | $851,613 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.4% | 60.8% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
West Covina
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
West Covina
2388
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | West Covina, 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%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
West Covina
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sterling Heights
17.2%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
West Covina
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
16.4%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
15.3%
West Covina
9.6%
West Covina +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.8% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 11.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.6% | West Covina + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | West Covina, CA | 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
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sterling Heights
55.0%
West Covina
75.0%
West Covina +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | West Covina + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Covina + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.5 min | 36.1 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, 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 West Covina. West Covina has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and West Covina has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Covina scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.5%.
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