Head-to-Head · City Comparison
McKinney, TX
VS
Sterling Heights, MI
🏆 McKinney leads 15 of 23 categories
McKinney
Texas
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$113,286 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
31 ✓ Safer
Population
196,160 ✓ Larger
Sterling Heights
Michigan
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$75,381
Violent Crime Index
60
Population
133,744
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
McKinney, TX
Pros
Households earn $37,905 more per year on average
49% less violent crime than Sterling Heights
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.2 pts lower (3.7%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (117.3 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 52.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 32°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $400,400
Higher rents — median is $1,740/mo
Cost of living runs 5% higher than Sterling Heights
Sterling Heights, MI
Pros
Homes cost $157k less ($243,400 vs $400,400)
Rent averages $525/mo less ($1,215 vs $1,740)
Violent crime is well below the national average (229.2 vs 380/100k)
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 94°F
5% cheaper overall cost of living than McKinney
Cons
Median income trails McKinney by $37,905/yr
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 3.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
McKinney
Median Income
$37,905
$113,286 vs $75,381/yr
McKinney
Violent Crime
49% lower
117.3 vs 229.2 per 100k
McKinney
Unemployment
2.2 pp lower
3.7% vs 5.9% unemployment
McKinney
Summer Heat
12.0°F warmer
July avg high 94.2°F vs 82.2°F
Sterling Heights
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Sterling Heights
Median Home Value
$157k less
$243,400 vs $400,400
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Sterling Heights, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $400,400⚠ High | $243,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,740⚠ High | $1,215 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $113,286 ✓ Higher | $75,381 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High | 26.0 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 18.5% ✓ Higher | 11.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 34 ✓ Safer | 56 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 31 ✓ Safer | 60 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 39 ✓ Safer | 50 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A+ (130) ✓ Better | B (99) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 52.2% ✓ Higher | 30.8% |
| High School or Higher | 94.8% ✓ Higher | 87.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | MCKINNEY ISD | Utica Community Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.4°F ✓ Warmer | 31.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.2°F ✓ Warmer | 82.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 42.4" | 34.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.6" ✓ Less | 32.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 196,160 ✓ Larger | 133,744 |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 41.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.9% | 76.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 27.5% ✓ More | 20.2% |
| Over 65 | 10.5% | 18.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
McKinney's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Sterling Heights's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Sterling Heights is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, McKinney leads 15 of 23 categories. McKinney wins 15 and Sterling Heights wins 8. 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 McKinney to Sterling Heights or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($400,400 vs $243,400 median home), income ($113,286 vs $75,381), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
McKinney, TX and Sterling Heights, MI are about 984 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.