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City Report · CO

Sterling

Pop. 13,172·66th most expensive in Colorado·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,070/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-1.9%
vs US Median
-$895
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Sterling · $1,070
More affordable than 96% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
30% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,070/mo, rent takes about 30% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$43,000/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
Research median
$1,030/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$12,840/yr
At $1,070/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 0.0% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -1.9% 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 $1,070/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: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Sterling is $1,070/mo as of July 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 30% 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.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Sterling an affordable city for renters?

Sterling is considered moderate for renters. At $1,070/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($43,283/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Sterling slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

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 $43,000/year (~$21/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,070/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 July 2026.

How does Sterling rent compare to other cities in Colorado?

Sterling is one of the more affordable cities in Colorado for rent, ranking #66 out of 66 tracked cities at $1,070/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Sterling?

Scottsbluff is nearby and more affordable at $938/mo, which is $132 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 $1,070/mo is $895 (46%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Colorado, it ranks #66 out of 66 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
30%
MODERATE

At $1,070/mo, rent takes ~30% of Sterling's median household income ($43,283/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Sterling 30%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.4%
Run the Sterling affordability calculator →
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Schools nearby

Public schools near Sterling, CO

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