What is the cost of living in Sterling, IL?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Sterling has an overall cost of living index of 84, which is 0.8x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Illinois, Sterling has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than Illinois's index of 98.
The standard of living in Sterling ranks as #19 most affordable out of the 336 places we measured in Illinois. By definition, that implies Sterling ranks as the #317 most expensive place in the Prairie State.
For more reading on life in Sterling, check out:
Sterling Cost Of Living Vs. Illinois
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 99.
The Groceries index in Sterling is 98.
The Health index in Sterling is 58.
The Housing index in Sterling is 98.
The Transportation index in Sterling is 93.
The Utilities index in Sterling is 94.
| Living Expense | Sterling | Illinois | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 84 | 98 | 100 |
| Services | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Health | 58 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 98 | 101 | 100 |
| Transportation | 93 | 99 | 100 |
| Utilities | 94 | 101 | 100 |
Sterling Cost Of Living Compared To Illinois Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Illinois, 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, IL Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Illinois, 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 $137,875.
The Median Rent in Sterling is $859.
The Median Income in Sterling is $57,350.
The Home Value To Income in Sterling is 2.4x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Sterling is 0.18x.
Sterling, IL Costs By Category
Detailed Sterling Services costs vs. Illinois
Detailed Sterling Groceries costs vs. Illinois
Detailed Sterling Health costs vs. Illinois
Detailed Sterling Transportation costs vs. Illinois
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:
Moline, IL has a cost of living index of 91, 1.1x Sterling.
DeKalb, IL has a cost of living index of 99, 1.2x Sterling.
East Moline, IL has a cost of living index of 91, 1.1x Sterling.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Sterling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moline, IL | 42,197 | 91 | 1.1x |
| DeKalb, IL | 40,443 | 99 | 1.2x |
| East Moline, IL | 20,904 | 91 | 1.1x |
| Dixon, IL | 14,910 | 86 | 1.0x |
| Peru, IL | 9,775 | 91 | 1.1x |
| Rock Falls, IL | 8,587 | 83 | 1.0x |
| Silvis, IL | 7,955 | 91 | 1.1x |
| Mendota, IL | 6,994 | 87 | 1.0x |
| Geneseo, IL | 6,673 | 92 | 1.1x |
| Spring Valley, IL | 5,476 | 88 | 1.0x |
