Troy, MI vs Sterling Heights, MI

Troy, MI and Sterling Heights, MI spend within 1.2% of each other per resident — $12,700 versus $12,550 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.

Sterling Heights, MI holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 75/100 (grade B) against 37/100 (grade D) for Troy, MI — a 38-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.

Sterling Heights, MI reports no outstanding debt per resident in its Census filing, while Troy, MI carries $735 per resident. Their budgets diverge on where the largest per-resident dollars go: Troy, MI leads with parks and recreation at $1,363 per resident, while Sterling Heights, MI leads with fire protection at $1,634.

They also fund themselves differently: other revenue is the largest single revenue source in Troy, MI at 142% of total revenue, whereas Sterling Heights, MI relies most on intergovernmental transfers at 100%.