Cost of Living Sterling Heights, MI

Is Sterling Heights an expensive place to live? Let's look a little deeper into the costs of living in Sterling Heights, the average household income, and typical expenses. 

Sterling Heights is a city that is known for its unique history and is home to thousands of commercial and industrial businesses. This city is located in Macomb County and has a population of about 134,346 residents and is considered to be the second largest suburb in Metro Detroit and the fourth largest city in Michigan as a whole. 

This city praises its residents and ensures that they keep the city visually appealing for all its residents and visitors. Ranked as number 3 in Best Places to Live in Macomb County, Sterling Heights offers its residents a vibrant and pleasant community with various nature trails and space for residents. If you are searching for beautiful homes for sale in this unique city, keep reading.

So, if you are looking into moving to Michigan, then you are in the right place. Moving somewhere new can be difficult, and we have a lot of things to consider, so our team has created this moving guide that includes the top things you need to know about life in Sterling Heights, Michigan. 

Keep reading to learn about the cost of living in Sterling Heights, MI

Cost of Living Sterling Heights

The overall cost of living in Sterling Heights is about four percent lower than the national average. Most, not all, of the categories, are lower than the national average. Splitting these numbers apart, housing expenses are 26 percent lower, utility prices are six percent lower, transportation like bus fares and gas prices are about the same as the national average, and grocery prices are about one percent higher. 

The total cost of housing, food, childcare, health care, and other common necessities for a single adult living in Sterling Heights is about $32,282 a year, which is about the same as Michigan and even less than the national average. Keep in mind that these numbers are averages, and the overall cost of living will always vary depending on your lifestyle. Check out some of the aspects of the cost of living broken down below. 

Sourced from Payscale. 

Real Estate Costs

Sterling Heights housing market is considered to be one of the most competitive and, on average, gets about 10 offers on a home on the market. Housing prices have gone down about 4 percent over the past year. However, remember that housing costs vary depending on the location, size, and type of house. Housing costs are more affordable here compared to other cities in Michigan and throughout the country. 

Housing costs are usually the biggest part of the cost of living. Thankfully, the housing costs in Sterling Heights are 26 percent lower than the national average. The median home price is $333,596, and the median rent is $1,014 monthly. As of June 2023, the housing market here is considered a seller's market, meaning there are more people looking for homes to buy than there are available, so if you are looking to move to this area, you should get ahead of the game. Homes have been on the market for about 12 days and have been going down over the past year. 

If you are interested in moving to Sterling Heights, you should check out single-family homes for sale, condos for sale, first-floor master, and new construction homes, and the best neighborhoods in Sterling Heights. 

Income

The average individual income for a resident in Sterling Heights is $30,974, while the household income on average is about $70,211, according to the United States Census Bureau. On the other hand, there is about 9.8 percent of the population in this city that lives in poverty sadly. During the years 2019 and 2020, there was a major decline in population, so the median household income grew about 3 percent. 

Most of the salaries in Sterling Heights range from the 25th percentile to the 75th percentile annually. However, keep in mind that all salaries do vary and depend on your occupation, education, experience, and other things. The most population occupations in this city, according to Payscale, are Electrical Engineer, Project Manager, and Manufacturing Manager. 

Utilities

The utility prices in Sterling Heights are about 6 percent lower than the national average. On average, a resident of this city will spend about $173 per month on electricity, which then adds up to about $2,076 a year. According to the Sterling Heights official page, the city is responsible for maintaining all public dedicated utilities like sewer systems. To find service providers in the city, you can check out inmyarea.com. On the other hand, some possible agencies for other utilities for Sterling Heights are AT&T for telecommunications, Detriot Edison for electric, and Consumers Energy for natural gas. 

Healthcare

Sadly, healthcare costs in Sterling Heights are 13 percent higher than the national average. Healthcare costs can become a large part of the overall cost of living somewhere because it is a necessity that you need.  The overall costs can vary depending on your healthcare providers, insurance, family size, and your individual needs. On average, a single adult living in this city will spend about $3,114 a year on healthcare. However, keep in mind that there is no fixed number on how much you will spend a month or annually here, so research the best healthcare providers, insurers, and resources around you. Below are a few average costs for healthcare in Sterling Heights, according to Payscale. 

Food and Grocery

Food and groceries here in Sterling Heights are about 1 percent higher than the national average. In this city, a single adult will spend about $3,059 on food per year, while a family of four will spend about $8,834 annually. However, keep in mind that this number does vary depending on the size of your family, how often you eat out, and your dietary preferences. Food and groceries greatly impact the overall cost of living, so make sure you find the best deals around to keep these costs lower than the average. Below are a few local favorites restaurants to check out as well. 

• Art and Jakes Sports Bar Sterling Heights: This is a brick-walled space dotted with TVs showing sports, serving beer, and grill-style meals. 
• Gator Jake's Bar and Grill: This is a bright and breezy sports bar serving Cajun and Southwestern grub, plus it offers darts, pool, and live music to enjoy with friends. 
• Kabob Hut: This is a compact, casual eatery that serves many falafel, kebabs, shawarma, and other Middle Eastern dishes. If you are looking for a unique and small stop, this is perfect. 

Taxes

Taking into account all state and federal income taxes plus other contributions, an average working resident in Sterling Heights will pay about $5,317 annually on taxes which is about the same as the statewide average but lower than the national average. The combined 2023 sales tax rate for Sterling Heights is 6 percent, totaling all state, county, and city sales tax rates. On the other hand, the property tax rate for this city is about 3 percent, one of the lowest rates in Michigan. 

Transportation

Most people who live in this city drive their own vehicles to work, with an average commute time of 26.4 minutes. On average, each household in Sterling Heights owns 2 cars. Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are about the same as the national average. According to the EPI, it's estimated to cost a single person in this city about $9,236 a year on transportation which is lower than the national average. About 96 percent of the city population commutes to work every day, more than the average of commuters nationwide. Whether you choose to own your own vehicle or use public transportation, you will spend around the year yearly. However, Sterling Heights is not a walkable city, so if you need to commute somewhere every day, you should invest in a vehicle or use public transportation. 

FAQ

Is Sterling Heights a good place to live?

Sterling Heights is considered to be a pleasant community to live in. They offer a large stretch of nature trails and many things to do while the community ensures the city stays appealing and functional. 

Is Sterling Heights expensive?

No, Sterling Heights's living cost is lower than the national average and is considered one of the most affordable cities. The total cost of housing, food, childcare, healthcare, and other common necessities for a single adult living in Sterling Heights is about $32,282 a year, which is about eh same as the state average and less than the national average. 

How much does it cost to live comfortably in Michigan?

The living wage in Michigan is about $16.36 an hour, which is the primary wage needed to pay for all essentials like housing and food. However, to support a family of four, you will need about $27.46 an hour to be comfortable. Check out the cost of living in Michigan for more information. 

Is Sterling Heights a good place to live?

Sterling Heights is considered to be a pleasant community to live in. They offer a large stretch of nature trails and many things to do while the community ensures the city stays appealing and functional. Check out the best neighborhoods in Sterling Heights for more information. 

How safe is Sterling Heights?

Sterling Heights is the safest big city in Michigan. This city recorded the lowest violent crime rate among all Michigan communities, with only a total of 225 total violent crimes over the year, which is extremely low compared to other cities. oN the other hand, Sterling Heights was also ranked the safest among all communities for property crime as well. 

Cost of Living in Sterling Heights - The Bottom Line

Sterling Heights is overall a very unique city that has many pros to it. Whether you are looking for a place with a low cost of living, low crime rates, or delicious dining options, it has it. This vibrant city is a perfect place for families or even young adults. This city is committed to its unbeaten residents while offering many amenities. While also being located in many other metro cities, Sterling Heights is a perfect location to settle down. 

If you or anyone you know is interested in moving to Sterling Heights, please get in touch with us here so we can connect you with one of our Realty specialists to help make this transition for you go smoothly. No matter the location, price, or preferences, we are here to help you through every step of the home-buying process to ensure we find the perfect home that meets all of your needs and lifestyle. 

Feel free to contact us here today for any questions or help.