Sterling Heights MI vs West Palm Beach FL — 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 Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sterling Heights
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Sterling Heights
41.5
West Palm Beach
40.2
West Palm Beach +
Foreign Born
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
West Palm Beach
27.2%
White
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Sterling Heights
6.6%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Sterling Heights
2.4%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Sterling Heights
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | 119,508 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 40.2 | West Palm Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 27.4% | 27.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 78.9% | 44.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 6.6% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 9.0% | 2.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 2.4% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
West Palm Beach
$69,261
Per Capita Income
Sterling Heights
$37,315
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sterling Heights
$58,052
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Sterling Heights
6.2%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
West Palm Beach
14.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sterling Heights
31.2%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,429 | $69,261 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,315 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $65,328 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 14.8% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.2% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,742 | $399,650 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.4% | 50.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
471
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
1590
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
36.0%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sterling Heights
17.2%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
16.4%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
15.3%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 16.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 75.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sterling Heights
55.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.5 min | 25.0 min | West Palm Beach + |
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, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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