Moving from Portage, MI to Sterling Heights, MI?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is Portage, MI or Sterling Heights, MI Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Sterling Heights, MI is safer than Portage, MI (Safety Score 64/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 1,273 per 100,000 versus 3,252 for Portage, MI — 61% lower. Portage has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Portage has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Sterling Heights is 2.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Portage, MI?
Portage — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Sterling Heights — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Portage, MI
Sterling Heights, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Portage | Sterling Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,252.0 | 1,273.1 | +1,978.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 277.2 | 230.7 | +46.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.8 | -0.8 |
| Rape Rate | 48.6 | 30.8 | +17.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 20.2 | 15.0 | +5.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 208.4 | 182.6 | +25.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,974.8 | 1,042.4 | +1,932.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 269.1 | 76.7 | +192.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,545.7 | 789.1 | +1,756.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 159.9 | 176.6 | -16.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Portage, MI to Sterling Heights, MI?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Portage or Sterling Heights safer?
Sterling Heights, MI is safer with a total crime rate of 1,273 per 100K vs 3,252 for Portage, MI — a 61% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Portage has a violent crime rate of 277.2 per 100K while Sterling Heights has 230.7. Sterling Heights has lower violent crime.
About Portage, MI
Portage, Michigan, a Kalamazoo suburb, grew significantly after World War II. It's home to the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum, and its population is predominantly white, with a median age of around 40. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 49,416, Portage has a total crime rate of 3,252.0 per 100,000 residents.
About Sterling Heights, MI
Sterling Heights, Michigan, a Detroit suburb, is the second-largest city in Macomb County. Once a farming community known for its rhubarb, it now boasts a diverse population exceeding 130,000 residents. With a safety score of 64/100 and a population coverage of 133,058, Sterling Heights has a total crime rate of 1,273.1 per 100,000 residents.