| Index | Sterling | Virginia | National |
| Cost of living | 133 | 111 | 100 |
| Groceries | 101 | 103 | 100 |
| Health care | 101 | 103 | 100 |
| Housing | 203 | 129 | 100 |
| Transportation | 105 | 105 | 100 |
| Utilities | 103 | 104 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 102 | 103 | 100 |
| Household Items | 104 | 102 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 108 | 109 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Sterling allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Sterling stands at 133, marking it 33% higher than the national average.
If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Sterling may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Sterling falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the Sterling cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 102.9% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
Is Sterling an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Sterling, the median home price is 107.1% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 93% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Sterling come in at $152,196, which is 87.1% higher than the national average.
Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Sterling, the utilities index stands at 3.1% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Sterling, the standard sales tax rate starts at 5.3%, and the income tax rates commence at 2%.
Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Sterling, the groceries index is 1.1% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Sterling are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $168,496 | $14,041 | $3,931 | $5,055 |
| Renters | $81,336 | $6,778 | $1,898 | $2,440 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Virginia | 5.3% | 6% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Virginia | 2% | 5.75% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Wakefield town, VA | 838 | 92 | 8.4% |
| Yorkshire, VA | 9,373 | 120 | 20.1% |
| Montgomery Village, MD | 35,133 | 127 | 26.7% |
| University Center, VA | 3,997 | 124 | 24.4% |
| Hamilton, VA | 734 | 127 | 26.7% |
| Sterling, VA | 31,816 | 133 | 33.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Centereach, NY | 31,808 | 137 | 36.6% |
| Algonquin, IL | 31,826 | 116 | 16.5% |
| Petersburg, VA | 31,836 | 94 | 6.3% |
| Winter Park, FL | 31,768 | 139 | 39.0% |
| Nicholasville, KY | 31,738 | 93 | 7.0% |
| Sterling, VA | 31,816 | 133 | 33.1% |
Here are the best places to live in Virginia
Check out the 10 most dangerous cities in Virginia
Check out the 10 safest cities in Virginia
Safest Cities In The US