Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Buckeye, AZ
VS
Sterling Heights, MI
🏆 Buckeye leads 13 of 23 categories
Buckeye
Arizona
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.0
Median Household Income
$94,188 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
44 ✓ Safer
Population
95,042
Sterling Heights
Michigan
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$75,381
Violent Crime Index
60
Population
133,744 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Buckeye, AZ
Pros
27% less violent crime than Sterling Heights
Households earn $18,807 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (166.8 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 32°F
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (5.0%)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $341,700
Higher rents — median is $1,597/mo
Longer commutes — 32.5 min average each way
Hot summers — July highs average 107°F
Sterling Heights, MI
Pros
Homes cost $98k less ($243,400 vs $341,700)
Rent averages $382/mo less ($1,215 vs $1,597)
Violent crime is well below the national average (229.2 vs 380/100k)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 107°F
More college-educated — 30.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails Buckeye by $18,807/yr
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 5.0%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Buckeye
Median Income
$18,807
$94,188 vs $75,381/yr
Buckeye
Violent Crime
27% lower
166.8 vs 229.2 per 100k
Buckeye
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
5.0% vs 5.9% unemployment
Buckeye
Summer Heat
24.3°F warmer
July avg high 106.5°F vs 82.2°F
Sterling Heights
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 100.0 (100 = US avg)
Sterling Heights
Median Home Value
$98k less
$243,400 vs $341,700
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Buckeye, AZ | Sterling Heights, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.0 | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $341,700⚠ High | $243,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,597⚠ High | $1,215 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $94,188 ✓ Higher | $75,381 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 32.5 min⚠ High | 26.0 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 14.2% ✓ Higher | 11.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 41 ✓ Safer | 56 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 44 ✓ Safer | 60 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 37 ✓ Safer | 50 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (72) | B (99) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.2:1 | 17.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.9% | 30.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.2% ✓ Higher | 87.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Litchfield Elementary District (4281) | Utica Community Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 66.1°F ✓ Warmer | 31.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 106.5°F ✓ Warmer | 82.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.0" ✓ Drier | 34.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 32.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 95,042 | 133,744 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 41.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.3% ✓ Higher | 76.0% |
| Under 18 | 28.5% ✓ More | 20.2% |
| Over 65 | 12.9% | 18.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Buckeye's cost of living index is 100.0 vs Sterling Heights's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Sterling Heights is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Buckeye leads 13 of 23 categories. Buckeye wins 13 and Sterling Heights wins 10. 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 Buckeye to Sterling Heights or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($341,700 vs $243,400 median home), income ($94,188 vs $75,381), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Buckeye, AZ and Sterling Heights, MI are about 1,721 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.