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

Lansing, MI vs Sterling Heights, MI

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

Summary

Lansing spends 146.4% more per capita than Sterling Heights ($18,373/person difference). Sterling Heights, MI has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 75/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Lansing, MI
Pop. 112,986
C
55/100
Budget Balance57
Debt Burden54
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
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
Lansing
Sterling Heights
Total Spending
$3.5B
$1.7B
Spending / Capita
$30,923
$12,550
Total Revenue
$10.8B
$2.4B
Revenue / Capita
$95,909
$17,646
Total Debt
$90.0M
$0
Debt / Capita
$796
$0
Population
112,986
133,744
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Lansing$3,190
Sterling Heights$1,634
Highways & Roads
Lansing$0
Sterling Heights$185
Parks & Recreation
Lansing$2,023
Sterling Heights$11
Education
Lansing$61
Sterling Heights$0
Health
Lansing$0
Sterling Heights$656

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

LansingSterling Heights
Sales Tax
$611
$0
Income Tax
$698
$0
Intergovernmental
$20,165
$17,646
Charges & Fees
$4,486
$1,696
Other
$6,549
$3,682

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

LansingSterling Heights
Fire Protection
$3,190
$1,634
Highways & Roads
$0
$185
Education
$61
$0
Public Welfare
$2,424
$761
Health
$0
$656
Hospitals
$2,917
$66
Parks & Recreation
$2,023
$11
Housing
$4,499
$2,747
Sewerage
$0
$159
Utilities
$3,743
$2,756
Other
$12,066
$3,575
C
Lansing, MI
Fiscal Health Score: 55/100
Average fiscal health
B
Sterling Heights, MI
Fiscal Health Score: 75/100
Good fiscal health

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