Living in Sterling Heights

Are you moving to Sterling Heights, MI? Here are seven things to know about life in Sterling Heights: the cost of living, real estate, and crime rates. 

Home to the Upton house, 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 Detirot and the fourth largest city in Michigan as a whole. 

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. This city praises its residents and makes sure that they keep the city visually appealing and functional for all. 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. 

Here are the seven things you should know about living in Sterling Heights.

Cost of Living

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

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. 

Sterling Heights housing market is considered to be one of the most competitive and, on average, gets about 10 offers on a home. Housing prices have gone down about 3.4 percent over the past year. However, remember that the 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 in the country.

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. 

Weather

In Sterling Heights, the summers are warm; the winters are freezing, snowy and windy, and partly cloudy year round. Over the year, the temperates typically vary from 20 degrees Fahrenheit to 84 degrees Fahrenheit and are rarely below 6 degrees Fahrenheit or even above 91 degrees Fahrenheit. 

The city sees an average of 34 inches of precipitation annually, happening more during the warmer months. On the other hand, the snowfall here averages around 46 inches over the year. This city does experience all four seasons, but winter mostly. On average, there are about 180 sunny days in Sterling Heights a year for you to enjoy the beauty. 

Overall, the state of Michigan is known for its cold weather. So if you want to move to this unique city, you have to be prepared for long cold winters with low temperatures. If you live in Sterling Heights, you should invest in big snow boots and jackets so you can be prepared for it all. 

Crime Rates

According to the newly released FBI crime statistics, 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 lower than all over cities. On the other hand, Sterling Heights was also ranked safest among all these communities for property crime. This city has already been known to be one of the safest communities in the nation, but the new FBI statistics show that this trend is continuing. 

The violent crime in Sterling Heights is 14.4, while the national average is 22.7, and the property crime here is 23.2, while the national average is 35.4. Finding a place to live where you feel safe is one of the most important things when moving somewhere new. Thankfully, you will be very safe in this city, and 98 percent of its residents say that they never have to worry about Sterling Heights. 

Education

Sterling Heights has 36 public schools serving about 18,572 students, while they also have 7 private schools that serve 528 private students. About 98 percent of all K-12 students in this city are educated in public schools. The top-ranked schools in this city are Messmore Elementary School, Bozymowski Center, and Bemis Junior High School. Schools in Sterling Heights have an average ranking of 5/10.

On the other hand, at least 20 colleges serve this area, including 14 private colleges and universities, 4 public colleges and private, and 3 community colleges offering 2-year degrees. These schools include Franklin University, Wayne State University, and Macomb Community College. On average, a 4-year nonprofit school will cost about $20,108, a 4-year for-profit college costs $17,648, and a 2-year will cost $2,968. 

Job Market

Sterling Heights is a flourishing city with various job opportunities and is home to thousands of commercial and industrial businesses. The unemployment rate in Sterling Heights is about 4 percent which is lower than the national average. The job market here has seen an increase of 0.2 percent over the last year and has a future job growth of 37 percent for the next 10 years, which is higher than what the national average is estimated to be. 

The average income for a resident in this city is about $27,373, while the median household income for a resident is $58,800, which is higher than the national average. On the other hand, keep in mind that Sterling Heights is located close to Detriot, so job opportunities widen, and you are offered many different jobs. Moving somewhere new usually starts with finding a job, and thankfully here in Sterling Heights, it won't be too hard to find the perfect occupation for you!

Dining

Sterling Heights grocery prices are 1 percent higher than the national average. On average, you will spend roughly $270.20 a month for food and about $3,240 annually for a single resident. Michigan overall has a very diverse and thriving dining environment. This state is known for many local favorites. Below are some of the most popular places to eat out in Sterling Heights!

Flaming Grill Family Dining

43474 Mound Rd, Sterling Heights, MI 48314

This relaxed family-run outfit offers a huge all-day menu of homestyle Greek and American fare.

Antonio's Italian Cuisine

2505 E 14 Mile Rd, Sterling Heights, MI 48310

This is an enduring Italian joint with an old-school vibe offering hearty classics, wine, and desserts. 

Ishtar Restaurant

3624 15 Mile Rd, Sterling Heights, MI 48310

This Middle Eastern restaurant offers Mediterranean fare, from soups to spit-cooked meats, and is presented in an elegant music-filled space. 

Moving to Sterling Heights Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Low cost of living
• Low housing costs
• Low crime rates
• Very diverse
• Good education
• Lots of job opportunities

Cons:

• High property tax
• Cold weather
• Winter storms

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, 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.

What is the weather like in Sterling Heights?

In Sterling Heights, the summers are warm; the winters are freezing, snowy and windy, and partly cloudy year round. Over the year, the temperates typically vary from 20 degrees Fahrenheit to 84 degrees Fahrenheit and are rarely below 6 degrees Fahrenheit or even above 91 degrees Fahrenheit. 

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 lower than all over cities. On the other hand, Sterling Heights was also ranked safest among all these communities for property crime.

What is Sterling Heights known for?

This city is mostly known for the thousands of commercial and industrial businesses that have made the city thrive. 

Moving to 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. 

On the other hand, Sterling Heights overall has a welcoming community for all. No matter if you are looking for a place for job opportunities, schools, or safety, you will find it here. This place is a perfect place for anyone to call home. This city praises its residents and makes sure that they keep the city visually appealing and functional for all.

If you or anyone you know is interested in searching for homes for sale in Sterling Heights, please get in touch with us 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. If you are interested in the area, you should also check out moving to Detriot and moving to Grand Rapids. 

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