Sterling Heights MI vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sterling Heights
133,473
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sterling Heights
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Sterling Heights
41.5
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Sterling Heights
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 27.4% | 10.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 78.9% | 48.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 6.6% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 9.0% | 2.3% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 2.4% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Wilmington
$59,120
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,429 | $57,673 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,315 | $35,074 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 17.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.2% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,742 | $419,326 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.4% | 54.6% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
471
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1999 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Wilmington
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 9.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.5 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
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, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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