Sterling Heights MI vs Westland MI — 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sterling Heights
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Sterling Heights
41.5
Westland
38.2
Westland +
Foreign Born
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
Westland
9.2%
White
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Westland
63.7%
Black
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Westland
22.6%
Westland +
Asian
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Westland
3.8%
Hispanic
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Westland
5.0%
Westland +
Spanish at Home
Sterling Heights
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | 84,155 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 38.2 | Westland + |
| Foreign Born | 27.4% | 9.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 78.9% | 63.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 6.6% | 22.6% | Westland + |
| Asian | 9.0% | 3.8% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 2.4% | 5.0% | Westland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Westland
$62,216
Per Capita Income
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Westland
$33,816
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Westland
$58,052
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Westland
5.3%
Westland +
Poverty Rate
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Westland
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,429 | $62,216 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,315 | $33,816 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,052 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.3% | Westland + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 13.3% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.2% | 21.7% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Westland
$215,089
Westland +
Homeownership Rate
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
Westland
61.1%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,742 | $215,089 | Westland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.4% | 61.1% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
471
Westland
471
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
1590
Westland
1590
Tie
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 471 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1590 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Westland
34.7%
Westland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Westland
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
Westland
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Westland
7.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Westland
15.6%
Westland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
Westland
16.6%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 34.7% | Westland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.3% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 20.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 7.3% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.6% | Westland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.6% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Westland, MI | 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
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Westland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Westland
27.0 min
Westland +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.5 min | 27.0 min | Westland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while westland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,089. On public safety, Westland is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Westland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Westland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Sterling Heights, MILos Angeles, CA vs Sterling Heights, MIChicago, IL vs Sterling Heights, MIHouston, TX vs Sterling Heights, MIPhoenix, AZ vs Sterling Heights, MIPhiladelphia, PA vs Sterling Heights, MI