Sterling Heights MI vs Winston-Salem 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sterling Heights
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Sterling Heights
41.5
Winston-Salem
37.5
Winston-Salem +
Foreign Born
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Black
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Winston-Salem +
Spanish at Home
Sterling Heights
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | 118,578 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 37.5 | Winston-Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 27.4% | 5.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 78.9% | 72.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 6.6% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 9.0% | 1.3% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 2.4% | 8.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,429 | $63,900 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,315 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 16.3% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.2% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,742 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.4% | 46.8% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
471
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1999 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 42.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.1% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 12.8% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.5 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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