Sterling Heights 74 Excellent
Sterling Heights Livability #173 ranked city in Michigan#4,266 ranked city in the USARanks better than 85% of areas

Sterling Heights, MI - The Heart of Macomb

Sterling Heights, MI, known as 'The Heart of Macomb,' offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and modern urban amenities. Located in Macomb County, Sterling Heights is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Detroit (15 miles) and Warren (5 miles) enhance its status as a central point in the region. Sterling Heights' blend of scenic landscapes, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.

Sterling Heights is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Sterling Heights Nature Center, the historic Freedom Hill County Park, and the scenic Dodge Park. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Sterlingfest Art and Music Fair to the bustling Lakeside Mall, known for its shopping and dining. Sterling Heights' dining scene is diverse, offering everything from American cuisine to international dishes.

Annual events such as the Sterlingfest and the Memorial Day Parade highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Sterling Heights' rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Macomb Community College contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.

The arts and culture scene in Sterling Heights is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Macomb Center for the Performing Arts and the Lorenzo Cultural Center are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Sterling Heights provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.

Sterling Heights’ community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Detroit Lions (NFL) and the Detroit Tigers (MLB), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Sterling Heights include healthcare, education, and manufacturing, with significant employers such as Ford Motor Company and Beaumont Hospital driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and bike-sharing programs, making it easy to navigate and enjoy all that Sterling Heights has to offer.

Pros and Cons of Living in Sterling Heights

PROS
  • Commute

    The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.

  • Cost Of Living

    Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.

  • Crime

    This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.

  • Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

CONS
  • Amenities

    The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.

  • Ratings

    Through surveys and polls, AreaVibes obtained feedback from local residents in the area, and the results did not indicate a favorable outlook on factors like local amenities and the safety of the area.

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What's it like Living in Sterling Heights?

Located in the state of Michigan, Sterling Heights is a medium-sized city with a population of 132,296 people. In Sterling Heights, there are 3,630 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (83% White). Given that fact, Sterling Heights could be considered less diverse than other cities. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in Sterling Heights, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 26 minutes.

Are you trying to decide if living in Sterling Heights is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a great experience before relocating to any new city in Michigan, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. With useful information like commute, employment, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Sterling Heights and in the areas around Sterling Heights is a much easier task.

Using data and statistics Sterling Heights has received a livability score of 73/100. This score is ranked in the 85th percentile when compared to all other cities. Based on the rankings for each individual category, Sterling Heights has received high marks for crime (A), cost of living (A-), employment (B-) and housing (A+). There are some categories that Sterling Heights ranks poorly for, including: amenities (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Sterling Heights market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Sterling Heights. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Sterling Heights are affordable. The median home price for Sterling Heights homes is $198,300, which is 55.2% higher than the Michigan average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Sterling Heights, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3, which is 20% higher than the Michigan average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Sterling Heights

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Compare Sterling Heights, MI Livability

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      Sterling Heights transportation information

      Statistic Sterling Heights Michigan National
      Average one way commute26min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work83.1%82.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.9%8.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.7%1.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.6%2.2%2.8%
      Working from home5.1%3.7%4.6%
      Source: The Sterling Heights, MI data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).