What is the cost of living in Sterling Heights, MI?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Sterling Heights has an overall cost of living index of 102, which is 1.0x higher than the national index of 100.
Compared to Michigan, Sterling Heights has a cost of living index that's 1.1x higher than Michigan's index of 91.
The standard of living in Sterling Heights ranks as #145 most affordable out of the 179 places we measured in Michigan. By definition, that implies Sterling Heights ranks as the #34 most expensive place in the Wolverine State.
For more reading on life in Sterling Heights, check out:
Sterling Heights Cost Of Living Vs. Michigan
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Sterling Heights. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Sterling Heights is 101.
The Groceries index in Sterling Heights is 95.
The Health index in Sterling Heights is 107.
The Housing index in Sterling Heights is 98.
The Transportation index in Sterling Heights is 102.
The Utilities index in Sterling Heights is 99.
| Living Expense | Sterling Heights | Michigan | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 102 | 91 | 100 |
| Services | 101 | 97 | 100 |
| Groceries | 95 | 98 | 100 |
| Health | 107 | 75 | 100 |
| Housing | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Transportation | 102 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 99 | 98 | 100 |
Sterling Heights Cost Of Living Compared To Michigan Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Michigan, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Sterling Heights Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Sterling Heights, MI Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Michigan, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Sterling Heights is $306,785.
The Median Rent in Sterling Heights is $1,292.
The Median Income in Sterling Heights is $79,909.
The Home Value To Income in Sterling Heights is 3.8x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Sterling Heights is 0.19x.
| Statistic | Sterling Heights | Michigan | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $306,785 | $259,857 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $1,292 | $1,129 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $79,909 | $72,875 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 3.8x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.19x | 0.19x | 0.21x |
Sterling Heights, MI Costs By Category
Detailed Sterling Heights Services costs vs. Michigan
| Item | Sterling Heights | Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | $1.13 | $1.28 |
| Movie | $12.99 | $12.13 |
| Bowling | $12.33 | $18 |
| Haircut | $16.8 | $24.26 |
| Beauty Salon | $24.78 | $45.56 |
Detailed Sterling Heights Groceries costs vs. Michigan
| Item | Sterling Heights | Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | $5.75 | $5.84 |
| Fried Chicken | $1.41 | $1.57 |
| Milk | $4.78 | $4.67 |
| Potatoes | $4.8 | $4.93 |
| Pizza | $8.99 | $12.09 |
| Beer | $9.04 | $10.41 |
| Toothpaste | $3.66 | $3.7 |
Detailed Sterling Heights Health costs vs. Michigan
| Item | Sterling Heights | Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $85.0 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $103.33 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $91.0 | $113.29 |
Detailed Sterling Heights Transportation costs vs. Michigan
| Item | Sterling Heights | Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.35 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $56.0 | $59.92 |
Detailed Sterling Heights Utilities costs vs. Michigan
| Item | Sterling Heights | Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $219.2 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $184.44 | $192.25 |
Sterling Heights SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Sterling Heights
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Sterling Heights. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Warren, MI has a cost of living index of 95, 0.9x Sterling Heights.
Troy, MI has a cost of living index of 114, 1.1x Sterling Heights.
Rochester Hills, MI has a cost of living index of 118, 1.2x Sterling Heights.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Sterling Heights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warren, MI | 137,928 | 95 | 0.9x |
| Troy, MI | 87,898 | 114 | 1.1x |
| Rochester Hills, MI | 77,089 | 118 | 1.2x |
| Royal Oak, MI | 57,950 | 107 | 1.0x |
| Roseville, MI | 47,123 | 87 | 0.9x |
| Madison Heights, MI | 28,419 | 94 | 0.9x |
| Birmingham, MI | 21,763 | 146 | 1.4x |
| Mount Clemens, MI | 15,511 | 88 | 0.9x |
| Berkley, MI | 15,149 | 105 | 1.0x |
| Fraser, MI | 14,583 | 91 | 0.9x |
