What is the cost of living in Sterling, AK?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Sterling has an overall cost of living index of 127, which is 1.3x higher than the national index of 100.
Compared to Alaska, Sterling has a cost of living index that's 1.0x higher than Alaska's index of 122.
The standard of living in Sterling ranks as #15 most affordable out of the 22 places we measured in Alaska. By definition, that implies Sterling ranks as the #7 most expensive place in the Last Frontier.
For more reading on life in Sterling, check out:
Sterling Cost Of Living Vs. Alaska
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Sterling. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Sterling is 124.
The Groceries index in Sterling is 113.
The Health index in Sterling is 149.
The Housing index in Sterling is 115.
The Transportation index in Sterling is 123.
The Utilities index in Sterling is 120.
| Living Expense | Sterling | Alaska | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 127 | 122 | 100 |
| Services | 124 | 117 | 100 |
| Groceries | 113 | 112 | 100 |
| Health | 149 | 137 | 100 |
| Housing | 115 | 113 | 100 |
| Transportation | 123 | 125 | 100 |
| Utilities | 120 | 116 | 100 |
Sterling Cost Of Living Compared To Alaska Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Alaska, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Sterling Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Sterling, AK Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Alaska, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Sterling is $342,733.
The Median Rent in Sterling is $1,248.
The Median Income in Sterling is $102,415.
The Home Value To Income in Sterling is 3.3x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Sterling is 0.15x.
Sterling, AK Costs By Category
Detailed Sterling Services costs vs. Alaska
Detailed Sterling Groceries costs vs. Alaska
Detailed Sterling Health costs vs. Alaska
Detailed Sterling Transportation costs vs. Alaska
Sterling SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Sterling
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Sterling. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Kalifornsky, AK has a cost of living index of 125, 1.0x Sterling.
Kenai, AK has a cost of living index of 119, 0.9x Sterling.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Sterling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kalifornsky, AK | 8,663 | 125 | 1.0x |
| Kenai, AK | 7,641 | 119 | 0.9x |
