Southfield, MI vs Sterling Heights, MI

Southfield, MI and Sterling Heights, MI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.8% difference in their overall index. Southfield scores 92 while Sterling Heights scores 94 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Southfield is $1,301/month compared to $1,267/month in Sterling Heights — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Sterling Heights has cheaper rent, Southfield actually has lower median home values ($226,900 vs $260,700).

Median household income in Southfield is $65,848 compared to $78,429 in Sterling Heights (-16%). While Sterling Heights is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Southfield spend roughly 23.7% of their income on rent, more than the 19.4% in Sterling Heights.