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

Sterling Heights, MI vs Detroit, MI

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

Summary

Detroit spends 59.6% more per capita than Sterling Heights ($18,538/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
Detroit, MI
Pop. 636,787
B
69/100
Budget Balance70
Debt Burden79
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency38
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Sterling Heights
Detroit
Total Spending
$1.7B
$19.8B
Spending / Capita
$12,550
$31,087
Total Revenue
$2.4B
$28.4B
Revenue / Capita
$17,646
$44,533
Total Debt
$0
$493.9M
Debt / Capita
$0
$776
Population
133,744
636,787
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Sterling Heights$1,634
Detroit$2,429
Highways & Roads
Sterling Heights$185
Detroit$0
Parks & Recreation
Sterling Heights$11
Detroit$950
Health
Sterling Heights$656
Detroit$396

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

Sterling HeightsDetroit
Property Tax
$0
$44
Sales Tax
$0
$200
Income Tax
$0
$1,045
Intergovernmental
$17,646
$291
Charges & Fees
$1,696
$2,228
Other
$3,682
$6,892

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

Sterling HeightsDetroit
Fire Protection
$1,634
$2,429
Highways & Roads
$185
$0
Public Welfare
$761
$833
Health
$656
$396
Hospitals
$66
$2,217
Parks & Recreation
$11
$950
Housing
$2,747
$5,791
Sewerage
$159
$451
Utilities
$2,756
$2,737
Interest on Debt
$0
$2,068
Other
$3,575
$13,216
B
Sterling Heights, MI
Fiscal Health Score: 75/100
Good fiscal health
B
Detroit, MI
Fiscal Health Score: 69/100
Good fiscal health

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