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The most comprehensive cost of living comparison tool for US cities. Make informed relocation decisions with real data from trusted sources.

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Sterling HeightsvsChicago

Moving from Sterling Heights to Chicago will cost approximately $128,253 more on median home prices (32.3% higher). Monthly rent is $534 more expensive in Chicago. Median income is 10.9% higher in Chicago, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
32.3% more
Rent
32.3% more
View Sterling HeightsView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Sterling Heights, MI

Median Home Price$397,021
Monthly Rent$1,654
Median Income$66,017
Population132,062
Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274+32.3%
Monthly Rent
$2,189+32.3%
Median Income
$73,194+10.9%
Population2,720,556
Housing

Rent History & Trends

Understanding how rental prices have changed over time helps predict future affordability and make informed decisions about your move.

Sterling Heights

2015N/A
2020$1,306
2025$1,654

Chicago

2015$1,513
2020$1,592
2025$2,189

Annual Cost of Living

A comprehensive breakdown of annual living expenses helps you budget effectively for your new life in Chicago.

Sterling Heights

Housing$7,727
Food$5,723
Transport$12,962
Healthcare$9,038
Total$44,551

Chicago

Housing$7,516
Food$5,442
Transport$13,003
Healthcare$12,465
Total$50,964
Costs

Key Insights

32.3%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Chicago
$534
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
10.9%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Sterling Heights

Population132,062
Median Age39.6 yrs
Violent Crime Rate491 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1367 per 100k

Chicago

Population2,720,556
Median Age34.2 yrs
Violent Crime Rate345 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1393 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

Sterling Heights

491
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1367
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

Chicago

345
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1393
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Sterling Heights?

Sterling Heights is 32.3% cheaper for housing than Chicago. The median home price in Sterling Heights is $397,021 compared to $525,274 in Chicago.

What is the rent difference between Sterling Heights and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Sterling Heights averages $1,654. That's a difference of $534 per month, or $6,413 annually.

How do incomes compare between Sterling Heights and Chicago?

The median household income in Chicago is $73,194, which is 10.9% higher than Sterling Heights's median of $66,017.

Which city is safer: Sterling Heights or Chicago?

Sterling Heights has a violent crime rate of 491 per 100k residents, while Chicago has 345 per 100k. Chicago is statistically safer.

What is Estates?

Estates is a comprehensive cost of living comparison platform covering over 3,900 US cities. We help you compare housing prices, rent, income levels, crime rates, demographics, and climate data to make informed relocation decisions. Our data comes from trusted sources including Zillow, the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, and NOAA.