Sterling Heights MI vs Yonkers NY — 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%
Yonkers, NY
New York · Population: 209,529
- Median HH Income$81,816
- Median Home Price$685,544
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+35.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sterling Heights
133,473
Yonkers
209,529
Yonkers +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sterling Heights
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Median Age
Sterling Heights
41.5
Yonkers
39.0
Yonkers +
Foreign Born
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Yonkers
32.6%
Yonkers +
White
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Yonkers
38.0%
Black
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Yonkers
17.3%
Yonkers +
Asian
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Yonkers
5.1%
Hispanic
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Yonkers
44.4%
Yonkers +
Spanish at Home
Sterling Heights
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | 209,529 | Yonkers + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 39.0 | Yonkers + |
| Foreign Born | 27.4% | 32.6% | Yonkers + |
| White | 78.9% | 38.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 6.6% | 17.3% | Yonkers + |
| Asian | 9.0% | 5.1% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 2.4% | 44.4% | Yonkers + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Yonkers
$81,816
Yonkers +
Per Capita Income
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Yonkers
$42,770
Yonkers +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Yonkers
$77,425
Yonkers +
Unemployment Rate
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Yonkers
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Yonkers
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Yonkers
35.2%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,429 | $81,816 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,315 | $42,770 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,425 | Yonkers + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 7.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 14.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.2% | 35.2% | Yonkers + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Yonkers
$685,544
Homeownership Rate
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
Yonkers
47.2%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,742 | $685,544 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.4% | 47.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
471
Yonkers
434
Yonkers +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
Yonkers
1736
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 434 | Yonkers + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1736 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Yonkers
29.3%
Yonkers +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Yonkers
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Yonkers
15.2%
Yonkers +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Yonkers
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Yonkers
14.3%
Yonkers +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Yonkers
11.9%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 29.3% | Yonkers + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 15.2% | Yonkers + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 12.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.3% | Yonkers + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.9% | Yonkers + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Yonkers, NY | 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
Yonkers
8.1 µg/m³
Yonkers +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Yonkers
75.0%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Yonkers + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Yonkers + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
Yonkers
37.5 min
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.5 min | 37.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Yonkers leads in median household income at $81,816, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Yonkers is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Yonkers has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Yonkers scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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