What is the cost of living in Sterling, VA?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Sterling has an overall cost of living index of 134, which is 1.3x higher than the national index of 100.
Compared to Virginia, Sterling has a cost of living index that's 1.2x higher than Virginia's index of 112.
The standard of living in Sterling ranks as #105 most affordable out of the 188 places we measured in Virginia. By definition, that implies Sterling ranks as the #83 most expensive place in the Old Dominion.
For more reading on life in Sterling, check out:
Sterling Cost Of Living Vs. Virginia
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 102.
The Groceries index in Sterling is 100.
The Health index in Sterling is 203.
The Housing index in Sterling is 104.
The Transportation index in Sterling is 105.
The Utilities index in Sterling is 103.
| Living Expense | Sterling | Virginia | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 134 | 112 | 100 |
| Services | 102 | 103 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 104 | 100 |
| Health | 203 | 131 | 100 |
| Housing | 104 | 105 | 100 |
| Transportation | 105 | 105 | 100 |
| Utilities | 103 | 104 | 100 |
Sterling Cost Of Living Compared To Virginia Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Virginia, 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, VA Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Virginia, 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 $642,390.
The Median Rent in Sterling is $2,138.
The Median Income in Sterling is $123,303.
The Home Value To Income in Sterling is 5.2x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Sterling is 0.21x.
Sterling, VA Costs By Category
Detailed Sterling Services costs vs. Virginia
Detailed Sterling Groceries costs vs. Virginia
Detailed Sterling Health costs vs. Virginia
Detailed Sterling Transportation costs vs. Virginia
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:
Bethesda, MD has a cost of living index of 204, 1.5x Sterling.
Ashburn, VA has a cost of living index of 148, 1.1x Sterling.
Clarksburg, MD has a cost of living index of 156, 1.2x Sterling.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Sterling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bethesda, MD | 69,397 | 204 | 1.5x |
| Ashburn, VA | 46,026 | 148 | 1.1x |
| Clarksburg, MD | 30,487 | 156 | 1.2x |
| Herndon, VA | 24,672 | 147 | 1.1x |
| North Potomac, MD | 23,922 | 176 | 1.3x |
| McNair, VA | 22,655 | 141 | 1.1x |
| Franklin Farm, VA | 18,736 | 171 | 1.3x |
| Sugarland Run, VA | 12,629 | 144 | 1.1x |
| Cascades, VA | 12,357 | 149 | 1.1x |
| Dranesville, VA | 11,828 | 171 | 1.3x |
