How much does it cost to rent in Sterling, VA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Sterling, VA is $2,718. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Sterling cheaper than other Virginia cities?

Sterling is one of the pricier cities in Virginia, ranking #15 out of 83 cities tracked at $2,718/mo.

When was Sterling rent data last updated?

Sterling rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · VA

Sterling

Name: Average Rent Prices in Sterling, VA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 32,411·15th most expensive in Virginia·Sterling rents are up 16.0% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$2,718/mo

Year-over-Year

+16.0%

Month-over-Month

+4.6%

vs US Median

+$753

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Sterling · $2,718

More expensive than 85% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

29/100

Overpriced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 10% above what Sterling's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent

$2,718/mo

Expected by trend

$2,464/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Sterling's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,257

1 BR

$2,307

2 BR

$2,593

3 BR

$3,243

4 BR+

$3,823

Research median

$2,593/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

$32,616/yr

At $2,718/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 16.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+16.0% YoY, +4.6% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Sterling, VA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 35.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

32,411

Median income

$123,303

Median age

35.3

Renters

28.2%

Age distribution

23.8%

25.7%

28.1%

Under 1823.8%

18–3425.7%

35–5428.1%

55–6411.3%

65+11.2%

Gender

52.9%

47.1%

Male52.9%

Female47.1%

Race & ethnicity

29.8%

49.2%

15.1%

White29.8%

Black7.4%

Hispanic49.2%

Asian15.1%

Education (25+)

22%

22.4%

20.3%

35.4%

No HS diploma22%

HS diploma22.4%

Some college20.3%

Bachelor's+35.4%

Housing tenure

71.8%

28.2%

Owner71.8%

Renter28.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Sterling, VA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,823 → $2,718

up 49.1%

Income

$110,915 → $123,303

up 11.2%

Population

31,202 → 32,411

up 3.9%

Renter share

26% → 28.2%

+2.2 pts

Bachelor's+

38.4% → 35.4%

-3.0 pts

Median age

34.4 → 35.3

+0.9 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Sterling, VA has shifted from $1,823 to $2,718, up 49.1% since 2021. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $110,915 in 2021 to $123,303 more recently. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Sterling, VA adding about 1,209 residents over the five-year window, up 3.9% on net. The renter share has risen from 26% to 28.2%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 38.4% to 35.4% across the same window. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Sterling, VA market of 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 $2,718/mo, how Sterling rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $96,370/yr · Rent = 33.8% income

stretched

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $68,422/yr · Rent = 47.7% income

rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $78,815/yr · Rent = 41.4% income

rent-burdened

Software Developer

Avg $140,872/yr · Rent = 23.2% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $179,999/yr · Rent = 18.1% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $64,066/yr · Rent = 50.9% income

severely rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $57,844/yr · Rent = 56.4% income

severely rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $71,298/yr · Rent = 45.7% income

rent-burdened

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, VA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Sterling is $2,718/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,257/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,593/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,307/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,243/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($123,303/yr), Sterling ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 16.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Sterling an affordable city for renters?

Sterling is considered affordable for renters. At $2,718/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($123,303/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 $109,000/year (~$52/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,718/mo in Sterling. The local median household income is $123,303/yr, meaning the typical Sterling household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Sterling?

Rent in Sterling has increased 16.0% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Sterling neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Sterling are 20165 ($2,600/mo), 20166 ($2,782/mo), and 20164 ($2,871/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Sterling is $2,718/mo.

How does Sterling rent compare to other cities in Virginia?

Sterling is one of the pricier cities in Virginia for rent, ranking #15 out of 83 tracked cities at $2,718/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Sterling?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Sterling ($2,718/mo): Herndon ($2,467/mo), Reston ($2,598/mo).

What percentage of Sterling residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 28.2% of Sterling households are renters, while 71.8% 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 $2,718/mo is $753 (38%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Virginia, it ranks #15 out of 83 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

26%

AFFORDABLE

At $2,718/mo, rent takes ~26% of Sterling's median household income ($123,303/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Sterling 26%Benchmark 30%

State income tax2–5.75%

Run the Sterling affordability calculator →

Nearby cities