Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Oklahoma City, OK
VS
Sterling Heights, MI
🏆 Oklahoma City leads 12 of 22 categories
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,251
Violent Crime Index
178⚠ High
Population
681,088 ✓ Larger
Sterling Heights
Michigan
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$75,381 ✓ Higher
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.
Oklahoma City, OK
Pros
Homes cost $47k less ($196,700 vs $243,400)
Rent averages $203/mo less ($1,012 vs $1,215)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.4 pts lower (4.5%)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 49°F vs 32°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.0)
Cons
Violent crime (676.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Sterling Heights by $11,130/yr
Property crime (2893.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Sterling Heights, MI
Pros
66% less violent crime than Oklahoma City
Violent crime is well below the national average (229.2 vs 380/100k)
Households earn $11,130 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 93°F
Cons
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 4.5%)
Cost of living runs 7% higher than Oklahoma City
Key Differences at a Glance
Oklahoma City
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 91.0 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Oklahoma City
Median Home Value
$47k less
$196,700 vs $243,400
Oklahoma City
Unemployment
1.4 pp lower
4.5% vs 5.9% unemployment
Oklahoma City
Summer Heat
10.9°F warmer
July avg high 93.1°F vs 82.2°F
Sterling Heights
Median Income
$11,130
$75,381 vs $64,251/yr
Sterling Heights
Violent Crime
66% lower
229.2 vs 676.0 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Sterling Heights, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.0 ✓ Cheaper | 98.0 |
| Median Home Value | $196,700 ✓ Lower | $243,400 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,012 ✓ Lower | $1,215 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,251 | $75,381 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.0 min ✓ Shorter | 26.0 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.5% | 11.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 162⚠ High | 56 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 178⚠ High | 60 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 138⚠ High | 50 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (87) | B (99) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 33.2% ✓ Higher | 30.8% |
| High School or Higher | 87.7% | 87.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | OKLAHOMA CITY | Utica Community Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 49.3°F ✓ Warmer | 31.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 93.1°F ✓ Warmer | 82.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 37.0" | 34.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 6.7" ✓ Less | 32.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 681,088 ✓ Larger | 133,744 |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 41.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.5% | 76.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 25.0% ✓ More | 20.2% |
| Over 65 | 13.1% | 18.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Oklahoma City's cost of living index is 91.0 vs Sterling Heights's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Oklahoma City is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Oklahoma City leads 12 of 22 categories. Oklahoma City wins 12 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 Oklahoma City to Sterling Heights or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($196,700 vs $243,400 median home), income ($64,251 vs $75,381), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Oklahoma City, OK and Sterling Heights, MI are about 918 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.