City · 133,573 residents · Macomb County, Michigan
Sterling Heights, Michigan
In Sterling Heights, a typical home is worth $274,300 and typical rent is $1,292 a month. Compared with all of Macomb County, the typical home value is 12% higher and typical rent is 7% higher.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $246,776 to $304,835.
Typical rent
$1,567a month
▲ 1.7% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $1,308 to $1,567.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Sterling Heights is in Macomb County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Macomb County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Nearby, in Fraser, the typical rent is $843: 35% less than in Sterling Heights ($1,292).
2
Nearby, in Warren, the typical home value is $193,400: 29% less than in Sterling Heights ($274,300).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Sterling Heights
What homes there are in Sterling Heights, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Sterling Heights
Macomb County
Michigan
United States
Kind of home: Sterling Heights and its comparisons
Measure
Sterling Heights
Macomb County
Michigan
United States
Detached house
67%
68%
72%
61%
Attached house
9%
10%
5%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
4%
4%
5%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
17%
14%
13%
19%
Mobile home
3%
4%
5%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
The detached house is the most common home in Sterling Heights: 67% of homes, near the figure in Macomb County (68%).
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Sterling Heights
Macomb County
Michigan
United States
Year built: Sterling Heights and its comparisons
Measure
Sterling Heights
Macomb County
Michigan
United States
Before 1960
8%
25%
36%
26%
1960–1979
50%
33%
26%
24%
1980–1999
27%
24%
22%
25%
2000–2009
11%
12%
10%
14%
2010 or later
4%
6%
6%
11%
By age, homes in Sterling Heights look like those in Macomb County: the typical year built is 1977.
By size, homes in Sterling Heights look like those in Macomb County: 68% have 3 bedrooms or more.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $100K8%
$100K–$200K12%
$200K–$300K42%
$300K–$500K34%
$500K–$750K3%
FHA limit: $541,287
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Sterling Heights and its comparisons
Measure
Sterling Heights
Under $100K
8%
$100K–$200K
12%
$200K–$300K
42%
$300K–$500K
34%
$500K–$750K
3%
$750K–$1M
Unreliable estimate
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
The FHA loan limit for Macomb County is $541,287, and about 96% of owner-occupied homes in Sterling Heights are worth less than that.
Monthly rent with utilities
Under the limitOver the limit
Under $5005%
$500–$99919%
$1,000–$1,49942%
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms: $1,459
$1,500–$1,99919%
$2,000–$2,4998%
$2,500–$2,9993%
$3,000 or more4%
Monthly rent with utilities: Sterling Heights and its comparisons
Measure
Sterling Heights
Under $500
5%
$500–$999
19%
$1,000–$1,499
42%
$1,500–$1,999
19%
$2,000–$2,499
8%
$2,500–$2,999
3%
$3,000 or more
4%
HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent (FMR) for Macomb County is $1,459: about 62% of rents in Sterling Heights are below it.
With a mortgage
$1,681 a month
Macomb County: $1,628 a month
Without a mortgage
$666 a month
Macomb County: $643 a month
Owners with a mortgage
61%
Macomb County: 62%
In Sterling Heights, 61% of owners have a mortgage; their typical cost is $1,681 a month, about the same as in Macomb County.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Sterling Heights+46%
Macomb County+46%
Michigan+50%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Sterling Heights+26%
Macomb County+26%
Michigan+30%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Sterling Heights+23%
Macomb County+24%
Michigan+28%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Sterling Heights and its comparisons
Measure
Sterling Heights
Macomb County
Michigan
United States
Typical home value
+46%
+46%
+50%
+53%
Typical rent
+26%
+26%
+30%
+33%
Typical household income
+23%
+24%
+28%
+29%
Much as in Macomb County, the typical home value in Sterling Heights rose 46% since 2015–2019.
Rents in Sterling Heights rose at about the same pace as in Macomb County: 26% since 2015–2019, against 26%.
The typical household income in Sterling Heights rose 23% over that time; home values changed +46% and rent +26%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Sterling Heights and its comparisons
Measure
Sterling Heights
Macomb County
Michigan
United States
Rental vacancy
5.0%
2.9%
5.1%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
1.0%
0.7%
0.8%
0.9%
More than one person per room
2.4%
1.8%
1.6%
3.4%
People per household
2.57
2.43
2.42
2.53
Drive alone
73%
76%
74%
69%
Carpool
10%
8%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
3%
Walk or bike
1%
1%
2%
3%
Work from home
16%
13%
14%
15%
Other means
1%
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
The rental vacancy rate in Sterling Heights is 5.0%, higher than in Macomb County (2.9%).
More than one person per room: that is how 2.4% of households in Sterling Heights live, near the figure in Macomb County (1.8%).
More people live in each home here: 2.57 on average, against 2.43 in Macomb County.
To get to work, 73% of workers in Sterling Heights drive alone; in Macomb County, 76%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Sterling Heights?
A typical home is tight for the typical income
We start with a typical home in Sterling Heights, worth $274,300, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 35% of the typical household income in Sterling Heights, which is $79,909 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $101,224 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Macomb County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Sterling Heights. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $9,601 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$2,362
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$269,331
Total interest
$387,504
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $4,632 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,865 a month
Tight
$1,865 to $2,397 a month
Your payment · 35%
Hard
more than $2,397 a month
Compared with the typical household income in Sterling Heights ($79,909 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,825
Property tax
$302
Home insurance
$114
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$121
You need at least $9,601 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $2,362; principal and interest $1,825.
The city and its county
Sterling Heights and Macomb County
Sterling Heights is in Macomb County, Michigan. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Sterling Heights
Map of Macomb County, Michigan, with Sterling Heights marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Sterling Heights
Macomb County
Other cities with a page
Sterling Heights's own numbers
Typical home value
$274,300
Typical monthly rent
$1,292
Typical yearly household income
$79,909
Households that own their home
76%
Effective property tax rate
1.32%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Macomb County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,459
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+47%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1.2%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Macomb County.
A typical home in Sterling Heights is worth $274,300: 12% above the county and 18% above Michigan. With the typical household income in Sterling Heights ($79,909 a year), a typical home costs 3.4 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Sterling Heights3.4 years
Macomb3.1 years
Michigan3.2 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Macomb County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Macomb County rose 92% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Macomb County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Macomb County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +5.5% +5.5% 2016
2017: +7.4% +7.4% 2017
2018: +6.5% +6.5% 2018
2019: +4.5% +4.5% 2019
2020: +3.6% +3.6% 2020
2021: +12.4% +12.4% 2021
2022: +11.7% +11.7% 2022
2023: +5.3% +5.3% 2023
2024: +6.8% +6.8% 2024
2025: +4.1% +4.1% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Macomb County, Michigan and the United States
Period
County
Michigan
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+4.1%
+4.7%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+47%
+52%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+92%
+97%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Sterling Heights next to Macomb County, Michigan and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Sterling Heights$274,300
Macomb$243,900
Michigan$231,600
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Sterling Heights$1,292
Macomb$1,211
Michigan$1,129
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Sterling Heights$79,909
Macomb$77,837
Michigan$72,875
United States$80,734
See the full table
Sterling Heights next to Macomb County and Michigan
Measure
Sterling Heights
Macomb County
Michigan
U.S.
Typical home value
$274,300 ▲12% above the county
$243,900
$231,600
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,292 ▲7% above the county
$1,211
$1,129
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$79,909 ▲3% above the county
$77,837
$72,875
$80,734
Households that own their home
76% ▲1 points above the county
75%
73%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$3,628 ▲7% above the county
$3,404
$2,904
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.32% ▼0.08 points below the county
1.4%
1.25%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
57% ▲6 points above the county
51%
50%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Macomb County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Sterling Heights
For a typical $274,300 home in Sterling Heights, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Sterling Heights's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$2,362a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$9,601
Cash to close
$17,830
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $121
Conventional, 5% down$2,312a month
Down payment
$13,715
Cash to close
$21,944
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $130
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,903a month
Down payment
$54,860
Cash to close
$63,089
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$2,156a month
Down payment
$41,145
Cash to close
$49,374
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Sterling Heights
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$2,362
$9,601
$269,332
7.18%
FHA MIP · $121
$17,830
580
Conventional, 5% down
$2,312
$13,715
$260,585
7.18%
PMI · $130
$21,944
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,903
$54,860
$219,440
7.18%
None
$63,089
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$2,156
$41,145
$233,155
8.18%
None
$49,374
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Sterling Heights is $1,292 a month: 7% above the county. In Sterling Heights, 57% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Macomb County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,459 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $28.06 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Macomb County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$1,047
$20.13
$41,880
1 bedroom
$1,167
$22.44
$46,680
2 bedrooms
$1,459
$28.06
$58,360
3 bedrooms
$1,777
$34.17
$71,080
4 bedrooms
$1,929
$37.10
$77,160
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Sterling Heights
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Sterling Heights has 4 ZIP codes with their own.
For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,440 in 48312 to $1,660 in 48310.
2 of the 4 are above the fair market rent for Macomb County ($1,459).
2-bedroom fair market rent in each of the 4 ZIP codes of Sterling Heights, beside the one for Macomb County. For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,440 in 48312 to $1,660 in 48310. 2 of the 4 are above the fair market rent for Macomb County ($1,459).
2-bedroom fair market rent in each ZIP code
Each line is one ZIP code: in color, those above the county's fair market rent; in gray, the rest.
County: $1,459
Lowest: $1,440 (48312)Highest: $1,660 (48310)
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Sterling Heights, fiscal year 2027.
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
There are 2 HUD-approved agencies with an office in Macomb County; none says it serves in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Sterling Heights or Macomb County. The ones below are statewide in Michigan: they work in Sterling Heights the same as in the rest of the state.
Michigan state agency loan of up to $10,000, with no interest and no monthly payments, for the down payment, closing costs and prepaid expenses; it goes with MSHDA's MI Home Loan mortgage and is repaid in certain cases, such as when you pay off the first mortgage, sell or refinance the home, or no longer live in it.Offered by Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA).
Michigan state authority certificate that lets you take 20% of the interest you pay each year on your mortgage off your federal taxes, for the life of the loan; you apply with an approved lender before you buy.Offered by Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA).
The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Sterling Heights, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.
CH
Community Housing Network, Inc
5505 Corporate Dr Ste 300, Troy · 7 miles away · Spanish
Also serves in Arabic, American Sign Language (ASL), Cambodian, Cantonese, and 19 more languages.
No legal help resource on our list is for Sterling Heights or Macomb County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Sterling Heights and all of Macomb County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Sterling Heights?
The typical home value in Sterling Heights is $274,300, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Macomb County it is $243,900.
How much does it cost to rent in Sterling Heights?
Typical rent in Sterling Heights is $1,292 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Macomb County is $1,459.
What is the FHA loan limit in Sterling Heights?
Sterling Heights uses the FHA limit for all of Macomb County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Sterling Heights?
The typical homeowner in Sterling Heights pays $3,628 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.32% of the home’s value; in Macomb County, the rate is 1.4%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Sterling Heights?
There are 2 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Macomb County. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
