At $1,172/mo, rent takes about 32% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,172 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
30% of the median household income ($43,283) is $1,082 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,030); a 3-bedroom is $1,440.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Sterling. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Sterling, CO is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 15.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Sterling, CO has changed in 5 years
Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $41,234 in 2021 to $43,283 more recently. Headcount in the area went from 13,976 to 13,172 between 2021 and 2024, a 5.8% change. About 44.1% of households rent today, against 40.8% in 2021.
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At $1,172/mo, how Sterling rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Sterling rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Sterling. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Sterling
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Sterling is $1,172/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $720/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,030/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $790/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,440/mo.
At 32% of local median household income ($43,283/yr), Sterling ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Sterling?
How does Sterling rent compare to other cities in Colorado?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Sterling?
At $1,172/mo, rent takes ~32% of Sterling's median household income ($43,283/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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