Best Life Index › States › Michigan › Cities › Sterling Heights

Michigan city profile

What Is It Like to Live in Sterling Heights?

What it costs to live in Sterling Heights, and how it compares with other Michigan cities, in plain numbers.

Value score

43

57th best value in Michigan

How much you get for what you pay, versus other Michigan cities.

Overall livability

48

37th overall in Michigan

Cost, safety, schools, jobs and quality of life combined.

Sterling Heights is home to about 134,062 people. A typical home runs $213,200 and a household earns around $70,200, a price-to-income ratio of 3.0. Among Michigan's largest cities, it ranks 57th for value and 37th overall.

Sterling Heights at a glance

Median home price

$213,200

59th in MI of 75

Median rent

$1,117/mo

Median household income

$70,200

Home price to income

3.0x

Unemployment

5.8%

38th in MI of 75

School rating

6/10

22nd in MI of 75

Air quality (AQI)

45

0th in MI of 75

Walk score

15/100

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‹ See all top Michigan cities ranked  ยท  Michigan state profile ›

Sources: Home prices and rent from Zillow; income, unemployment and commute from the U.S. Census; school ratings from state education data; crime from the FBI; air quality from the EPA. City rankings are within Michigan only. Updated 2026.