Westland, MI vs Sterling Heights, MI
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Westland, MI and Sterling Heights, MI spend within 6.5% of each other per resident — $13,362 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 61/100 (grade C) for Westland, MI — a 14-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
Sterling Heights, MI reports no outstanding debt per resident in its Census filing, while Westland, MI carries $267 per resident. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: fire protection leads in Westland, MI at $1,333 per resident and in Sterling Heights, MI at $1,634.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 100% of total revenue in Westland, MI and 100% in Sterling Heights, MI.
Summary
Westland spends 6.5% more per capita than Sterling Heights ($812/person difference). Sterling Heights, MI has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 75/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Intergovernmental | $12,877 | $17,646 |
| Charges & Fees | $1,581 | $1,696 |
| Other | $3,274 | $3,682 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $1,333 | $1,634 |
| Highways & Roads | $145 | $185 |
| Public Welfare | $1,350 | $761 |
| Health | $859 | $656 |
| Hospitals | $136 | $66 |
| Parks & Recreation | $555 | $11 |
| Housing | $2,581 | $2,747 |
| Sewerage | $0 | $159 |
| Utilities | $812 | $2,756 |
| Other | $5,590 | $3,575 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.