Sterling Heights MI vs Wichita Falls TX — 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sterling Heights
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Sterling Heights
41.5
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Black
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wichita Falls +
Asian
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Sterling Heights
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | 102,558 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 27.4% | 7.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 78.9% | 70.1% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 6.6% | 12.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Asian | 9.0% | 2.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 2.4% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,429 | $58,568 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,315 | $31,987 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,758 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 17.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.2% | 25.0% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
Wichita Falls
57.0%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,742 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.4% | 57.0% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
471
Wichita Falls
442
Wichita Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 442 | Wichita Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2339 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Wichita Falls
14.9%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 35.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.8% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 16.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.8% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.9% | Wichita Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 28.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Wichita Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Wichita Falls
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Wichita Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.5 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Wichita Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Wichita Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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