Sterling Heights MI vs Wichita KS — 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, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sterling Heights
133,473
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sterling Heights
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Sterling Heights
41.5
Wichita
35.7
Wichita +
Foreign Born
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Wichita
66.6%
Black
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Wichita
9.7%
Wichita +
Asian
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Wichita
4.9%
Hispanic
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Sterling Heights
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 35.7 | Wichita + |
| Foreign Born | 27.4% | 10.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 78.9% | 66.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 6.6% | 9.7% | Wichita + |
| Asian | 9.0% | 4.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 2.4% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Wichita
$61,860
Wichita +
Unemployment Rate
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,429 | $63,072 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,315 | $35,958 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $61,860 | Wichita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 15.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.2% | 30.9% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
Wichita
58.4%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,742 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.4% | 58.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
471
Wichita
449
Wichita +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 449 | Wichita + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2174 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 39.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 12.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Wichita
32.6 in
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 32.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Wichita +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wichita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.5 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Wichita is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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