Sterling Heights vs Kent: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Sterling Heights, MI and Kent, WA, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Kent, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,744 | 135,169 |
| Median household income | $75,381 | $86,966 |
| Median home value | $243,400 | $478,400 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,215 | $1,742 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Sterling Heights, MI and Kent, WA comes down to what you value most. Sterling Heights has the lower median home value, and Sterling Heights has the lower median rent.
Kent 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 Kent?
- By median home value, Sterling Heights is the cheaper of the two ($243,400 vs $478,400). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Sterling Heights or Kent?
- Median household income is $75,381 in Sterling Heights versus $86,966 in Kent, per the US Census Bureau.