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

Sterling Heights, MI vs Ann Arbor, MI

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

Summary

Ann Arbor spends 43.0% 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
Sterling Heights, MI
Pop. 133,744
B
75/100
Budget Balance79
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Ann Arbor, MI
Pop. 122,216
D
46/100
Budget Balance34
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency50
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

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

Per Capita Spending by Department

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

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

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

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

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

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