1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Sterling, VA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Sterling, Virginia as of October 2026. That's +10% lower than the citywide median of $2,560 and +65% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Sterling
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Sterling
Compare Sterling's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Virginia
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Martinsville | $700 |
| 2 | Danville | $740 |
| 3 | Bellwood | $809 |
| 4 | Bristol | $870 |
| 5 | Madison Heights | $890 |
| 6 | Radford | $900 |
| 7 | Christiansburg | $920 |
| 8 | Roanoke | $940 |
| 9 | Front Royal | $980 |
| 10 | Salem | $1,020 |
| 11 | Blacksburg | $1,040 |
| 12 | Waynesboro | $1,070 |
| 13 | Montrose | $1,075 |
| 14 | Lynchburg | $1,120 |
| 15 | Culpeper | $1,130 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Virginia
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Falls | $3,080 |
| 2 | Aldie | $2,780 |
| 3 | Gainesville | $2,730 |
| 4 | Burke | $2,610 |
| 5 | Vienna | $2,600 |
| 6 | Springfield | $2,547 |
| 7 | Chantilly | $2,490 |
| 8 | Arlington | $2,486 |
| 9 | Lorton | $2,480 |
| 10 | Fairfax | $2,403 |
| 11 | Oakton | $2,400 |
| 12 | Ashburn | $2,395 |
| 13 | Sterling (this page) | $2,307 |
| 14 | Alexandria | $2,297 |
| 15 | McLean | $2,256 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Sterling.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Sterling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakton, VA | 10.3 mi | $2,400 | +$93 (+4%) |
| Vienna, VA | 12.1 mi | $2,600 | +$293 (+13%) |
| Leesburg, VA | 13.2 mi | $2,045 | $-262 (-11%) |
| North Potomac, MD | 13.4 mi | $2,124 | $-183 (-8%) |
| Fairfax, VA | 13.6 mi | $2,403 | +$96 (+4%) |
| Aldie, VA | 13.8 mi | $2,780 | +$473 (+21%) |
| McLean, VA | 15.8 mi | $2,256 | $-51 (-2%) |
| Gaithersburg, MD | 16.7 mi | $2,027 | $-280 (-12%) |
| Manassas Park, VA | 17.5 mi | $1,908 | $-399 (-17%) |
| Burke, VA | 18.5 mi | $2,610 | +$303 (+13%) |
| Bethesda, MD | 19.9 mi | $2,730 | +$423 (+18%) |
| Springfield, VA | 22.2 mi | $2,547 | +$240 (+10%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Sterling — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Sterling?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Sterling, Virginia is $2,307 per month. This is +10% below the citywide median of $2,560.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Sterling?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $92,280 ($7,690/month gross), which works out to roughly $44.37/hour at a full-time job.
Is Sterling expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Sterling's 1-bedroom median of $2,307 is +65% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 91th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Sterling rank for 1-bedroom rent in Virginia?
Among the 78 cities in Virginia with 1-bedroom data, Sterling ranks #66 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Sterling?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Leesburg ($2,045), North Potomac ($2,124), McLean ($2,256).