Sterling Heights vs Midland: Cost of Living (2026)

A side-by-side comparison of Sterling Heights, MI and Midland, TX, using US Census Bureau data.

MetricSterling Heights, MIMidland, TX
Population133,744132,490
Median household income$75,381$90,448
Median home value$243,400$280,700
Median rent (/mo)$1,215$1,400

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.

Comparing Sterling Heights, MI and Midland, TX comes down to what you value most. Sterling Heights has the lower median home value, and Sterling Heights has the lower median rent.

Midland has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.

Frequently asked questions

Is it cheaper to live in Sterling Heights or Midland?
By median home value, Sterling Heights is the cheaper of the two ($243,400 vs $280,700). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
Which has higher salaries, Sterling Heights or Midland?
Median household income is $75,381 in Sterling Heights versus $90,448 in Midland, per the US Census Bureau.

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