Sterling Heights, MI vs Waukee, IA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Sterling Heights
72.7
#851 nationally
Waukee
77.3
#263 nationally
Waukee leads in crime level (3.9 vs 6.3). Waukee leads in median household income ($106,846 vs $75,381). Waukee leads in average commute (19.6 min vs 26 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Waukee, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.7 (#851) | 77.3 (#263) |
| Population | 133,306 | 31,645 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $313,695 | $343,274 |
| Median Household Income | $75,381 | $106,846 |
| Average Commute | 26 min | 19.6 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | N/A |
| Crime Level | 6.3 | 3.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 106 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+13.7 | R+4.8 |
Data coverage note: Waukee is missing data for 1 metric that Sterling Heights has. Scores with less coverage are penalized — see our methodology.
C-
72.7 Score
Sterling Heights, MI
Mid-size Michigan city with community character
Median Home
$313,695
Population
133,306
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
33
Midwest
View Sterling Heights, MI →
C+
77.3 Score
Waukee, IA
Small Iowa city with local appeal
Median Home
$343,274
Population
31,645
Crime
Low
Median Income
$106,846
Midwest
View Waukee, IA →
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