Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Sterling Heights, MI

    Is Sterling Heights a good place to live?

    Watch Sterling Heights

    Sterling Heights ranks #28 of 50 Michigan cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (47/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population fell 0.2% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $260,700
    +7.1% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,267
    per month
    Household income
    $78,429
    median
    Unemployment
    6.2%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Sterling Heights

    The median home value in Sterling Heights is $260,700 and median rent is $1,267 a month, against a median household income of $78,429. Homes cost about 3.3× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Sterling Heights crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Michigan the 2025 rate was 431 violent and 1,300 property crimes per 100,000 people — #28 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Sterling Heights, MI

    Sterling Heights has about 133,473 residents, 6.2% unemployment and 21% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Sterling Heights with

    Sterling Heights vs DetroitSterling Heights vs Grand RapidsSterling Heights vs WarrenSterling Heights vs Ann ArborSterling Heights vs LansingSterling Heights vs DearbornSterling Heights vs LivoniaSterling Heights vs Troy

    More: Where to move in Michigan · Best counties in Michigan

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report