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City Report · CO

Sterling

Pop. 13,172·67th most expensive in Colorado·Rents have been falling, good time to negotiate
Median rent (all units)
$1,003/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-6.3%
vs US Median
-$959
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Sterling · $1,003
More affordable than 98% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
28% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,003/mo, rent takes about 28% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$40,000/yr
Local median income
$43,283/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Sterling's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$720
1 BR
$790
2 BR
$1,030
3 BR
$1,440
4 BR+
$1,550
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,030/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,003 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$12,036/yr
At $1,003/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -6.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
13,172
Median income
$43,283
Median age
37.7
Renters
44.1%
Age distribution
16.2%
28.6%
24.9%
19.1%
Under 1816.2%
18–3428.6%
35–5424.9%
55–6411.2%
65+19.1%
Gender
57.3%
42.7%
Male57.3%
Female42.7%
Race & ethnicity
78.4%
21.2%
White78.4%
Black4.3%
Hispanic21.2%
Asian0.8%
Education (25+)
12.9%
43.7%
27.7%
15.7%
No HS diploma12.9%
HS diploma43.7%
Some college27.7%
Bachelor's+15.7%
Housing tenure
55.9%
44.1%
Owner55.9%
Renter44.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Sterling, CO has changed in 5 years

Income
$41,234 → $43,283
up 5.0%
Population
13,976 → 13,172
down 5.8%
Renter share
40.8% → 44.1%
+3.3 pts
Bachelor's+
17.1% → 15.7%
-1.4 pts
Median age
37 → 37.7
+0.7 yrs

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.

Community

Discussions about Sterling

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View Sterling rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Sterling on your salary?

At $1,003/mo, how Sterling rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Sterling rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Sterling. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Sterling

About renting in Sterling, CO

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Sterling is $1,003/mo as of August 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 28% of local median household income ($43,283/yr), Sterling ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Sterling an affordable city for renters?

Sterling is considered affordable for renters. At $1,003/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($43,283/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Sterling falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Sterling?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $40,000/year (~$19/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,003/mo in Sterling. The local median household income is $43,283/yr, meaning the typical Sterling household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Sterling?

Rent in Sterling has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Sterling rent compare to other cities in Colorado?

Sterling is one of the more affordable cities in Colorado for rent, ranking #67 out of 67 tracked cities at $1,003/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Sterling?

Scottsbluff is nearby and more affordable at $900/mo, which is $103 less than Sterling.

What percentage of Sterling residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 44.1% of Sterling households are renters, while 55.9% are owner-occupied. Sterling leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Sterling rent compare to the national average?

Sterling's median rent of $1,003/mo is $959 (49%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Colorado, it ranks #67 out of 67 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
28%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,003/mo, rent takes ~28% of Sterling's median household income ($43,283/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Sterling 28%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.4%
Run the Sterling affordability calculator →
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Public schools near Sterling, CO

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