Sterling Heights MI vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sterling Heights
133,473
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sterling Heights
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Sterling Heights
41.5
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
Worcester
23.2%
White
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Sterling Heights
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 27.4% | 23.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 78.9% | 58.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 6.6% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 9.0% | 6.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 2.4% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,429 | $67,544 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,315 | $35,825 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 6.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 19.8% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.2% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,742 | $435,532 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.4% | 42.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
471
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
1590
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 8.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.1% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.5 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
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, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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