Living in Sterling Heights, Michigan
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Sterling Heights · Census data 2020–2024
Sterling Heights has 133,573 residents with a median age of 41.7. The median household income is $79,909 (10% higher than the Michigan median), the median home value is $274,300, the median rent is $1,292/month.
Sterling Heights at a glance
- Population
- 133,573
- Median age
- 41.7State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $79,909State: $72,875
- Median home value
- $274,300State: $231,600
- Median rent
- $1,292/moState: $1,129
- Homeowners
- 75.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 31.1%
- Average commute
- 25 min
Is Sterling Heights a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 10% higher than the Michigan median; a poverty rate of 11.1%.
Cons: Home values 18% higher than the state median; an average commute of 25 minutes; unemployment of 6.1%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Sterling Heights
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Sterling Heights the median home value is $274,300, 18% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,292 per month, which is 32.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,681 a month in housing costs.
Sterling Heights median household income
The median household income in Sterling Heights is $79,909 and the income per person is $38,084. 11.1% of residents live below the poverty line (Michigan: 13.2%).
Housing in Sterling Heights: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 53,607
- Owner-occupied
- 75.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 24.2%
- Vacant
- 3.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1977
- Average household size
- 2.57
Sterling Heights demographics
- Population
- 133,573
- Median age
- 41.7
- Under 18
- 19.4%
- 65 and older
- 19.3%
- Households
- 51,736
- Foreign-born
- 28%
- Veterans
- 3.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Sterling Heights ›
Education in Sterling Heights
31.1% of adults 25 and older in Sterling Heights have a bachelor's degree or higher (Michigan: 32.4%), and 10.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Sterling Heights
- Unemployment rate
- 6.1%State: 5.7%
- Average commute
- 25 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 15.7%
- Drive alone
- 72.6%
- Public transit
- 0.5%
- Walk to work
- 0.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 93.9%
Sterling Heights vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sterling Heights | 133,573 | $79,909 | $274,300 | $1,292 |
| Utica | 5,180 | $58,718 | $231,100 | $1,131 |
| Fraser | 14,583 | $64,354 | $215,900 | $843 |
| Troy | 87,898 | $120,045 | $420,300 | $1,602 |
| Warren | 137,928 | $64,016 | $193,400 | $1,225 |
| Madison Heights | 28,419 | $69,503 | $199,100 | $1,176 |
| Clawson | 11,374 | $88,636 | $267,100 | $1,253 |
| Center Line | 8,463 | $54,703 | $156,600 | $788 |
| Roseville | 47,123 | $62,182 | $155,800 | $1,233 |
More for people moving to Sterling Heights
Sterling Heights ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Sterling Heights: FAQ
What is the median household income in Sterling Heights, MI?
The median household income in Sterling Heights is $79,909, 10% higher than the Michigan median of $72,875 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Sterling Heights?
The median home value in Sterling Heights is $274,300, compared with $231,600 in Michigan.
How much is rent in Sterling Heights?
The median gross rent in Sterling Heights is $1,292 per month, about 32.8% of household income.
Is Sterling Heights, MI a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 10% higher than the Michigan median; a poverty rate of 11.1%. Minuses: home values 18% higher than the state median; an average commute of 25 minutes; unemployment of 6.1%.
What is the median age in Sterling Heights?
The median age in Sterling Heights is 41.7 years (Michigan: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Sterling Heights?
The average commute to work in Sterling Heights is 25 minutes; 15.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Sterling Heights?
The unemployment rate in Sterling Heights is 6.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Sterling Heights?
31.1% of adults in Sterling Heights have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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