Sterling Heights MI vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sterling Heights
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Sterling Heights
41.5
Westminster
37.5
Westminster +
Foreign Born
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Westminster
74.7%
Black
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Westminster
4.7%
Hispanic
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Sterling Heights
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | 115,546 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 37.5 | Westminster + |
| Foreign Born | 27.4% | 8.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 78.9% | 74.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 6.6% | 1.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 9.0% | 4.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 2.4% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Westminster
$76,653
Westminster +
Unemployment Rate
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Westminster
44.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,429 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,315 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $76,653 | Westminster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.2% | 44.0% | Westminster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Westminster
$528,447
Homeownership Rate
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
Westminster
63.7%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,742 | $528,447 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.4% | 63.7% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 512 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3234 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Westminster
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 11.1% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 18.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Westminster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.5 min | 28.6 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, 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 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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