Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Aurora, CO
VS
Sterling Heights, MI
🏆 Sterling Heights leads 13 of 23 categories
Aurora
Colorado
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$78,685 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
249⚠ High
Population
387,349 ✓ Larger
Sterling Heights
Michigan
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$75,381
Violent Crime Index
60 ✓ Safer
Population
133,744
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Aurora, CO
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 47°F vs 32°F
Households earn $3,304 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $409,700
Higher rents — median is $1,651/mo
Violent crime (947.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3103.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Sterling Heights, MI
Pros
Homes cost $166k less ($243,400 vs $409,700)
76% less violent crime than Aurora
Rent averages $436/mo less ($1,215 vs $1,651)
Violent crime is well below the national average (229.2 vs 380/100k)
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Aurora
Cons
Median income trails Aurora by $3,304/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Aurora
Median Income
$3,304
$78,685 vs $75,381/yr
Aurora
Summer Heat
8.2°F warmer
July avg high 90.4°F vs 82.2°F
Sterling Heights
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Sterling Heights
Violent Crime
76% lower
229.2 vs 947.8 per 100k
Sterling Heights
Median Home Value
$166k less
$243,400 vs $409,700
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Sterling Heights, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $409,700⚠ High | $243,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,651⚠ High | $1,215 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,685 ✓ Higher | $75,381 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High | 26.0 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.0% ✓ Higher | 11.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 209⚠ High | 56 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 249⚠ High | 60 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 148⚠ High | 50 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | B (99) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.8% ✓ Higher | 30.8% |
| High School or Higher | 86.9% | 87.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Aurora Joint District No. 28 of the counties of Adams and A | Utica Community Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.3°F ✓ Warmer | 31.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 90.4°F ✓ Warmer | 82.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.5" ✓ Drier | 34.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 49.0" | 32.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 387,349 ✓ Larger | 133,744 |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 41.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.5% | 76.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.2% ✓ More | 20.2% |
| Over 65 | 11.9% | 18.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Aurora's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Sterling Heights's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Sterling Heights is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Sterling Heights leads 13 of 23 categories. Aurora wins 10 and Sterling Heights wins 13. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Aurora to Sterling Heights or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($409,700 vs $243,400 median home), income ($78,685 vs $75,381), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Aurora, CO and Sterling Heights, MI are about 1,143 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.