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Data from U.S. Census Bureau · 2026 · Methodology
CitySpend

Ann Arbor, MI vs Sterling Heights, MI

Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)

Summary

Ann Arbor spends 75.3% more per capita than Sterling Heights ($9,456/person difference). Sterling Heights, MI has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 75/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Ann Arbor, MI
Pop. 122,216
D
46/100
Budget Balance34
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency50
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Sterling Heights, MI
Pop. 133,744
B
75/100
Budget Balance79
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Ann Arbor
Sterling Heights
Total Spending
$2.7B
$1.7B
Spending / Capita
$22,006
$12,550
Total Revenue
$2.8B
$2.4B
Revenue / Capita
$23,294
$17,646
Total Debt
$357.2M
$0
Debt / Capita
$2,923
$0
Population
122,216
133,744
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Ann Arbor$1,572
Sterling Heights$1,634
Highways & Roads
Ann Arbor$0
Sterling Heights$185
Parks & Recreation
Ann Arbor$1,799
Sterling Heights$11
Health
Ann Arbor$0
Sterling Heights$656

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

Ann ArborSterling Heights
Sales Tax
$452
$0
Income Tax
$378
$0
Intergovernmental
$3,670
$17,646
Charges & Fees
$2,961
$1,696
Other
$4,076
$3,682

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

Ann ArborSterling Heights
Fire Protection
$1,572
$1,634
Highways & Roads
$0
$185
Public Welfare
$1,621
$761
Health
$0
$656
Hospitals
$2,532
$66
Parks & Recreation
$1,799
$11
Housing
$2,662
$2,747
Sewerage
$511
$159
Utilities
$2,610
$2,756
Interest on Debt
$1,056
$0
Other
$7,644
$3,575
D
Ann Arbor, MI
Fiscal Health Score: 46/100
Below average fiscal health
B
Sterling Heights, MI
Fiscal Health Score: 75/100
Good fiscal health

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