2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Sterling, VA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Sterling, Virginia as of October 2026. That's +1% higher than the citywide median of $2,560 and +56% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in Virginia
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Martinsville | $880 |
| 2 | Danville | $920 |
| 3 | Bellwood | $1,008 |
| 4 | Madison Heights | $1,010 |
| 5 | Bristol | $1,100 |
| 6 | Roanoke | $1,131 |
| 7 | Radford | $1,140 |
| 8 | Christiansburg | $1,170 |
| 9 | Salem | $1,230 |
| 10 | Waynesboro | $1,230 |
| 11 | Montrose | $1,253 |
| 12 | Lynchburg | $1,265 |
| 13 | Front Royal | $1,280 |
| 14 | Staunton | $1,300 |
| 15 | Forest | $1,310 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in Virginia
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Falls | $3,470 |
| 2 | Aldie | $3,130 |
| 3 | Gainesville | $3,070 |
| 4 | Burke | $2,940 |
| 5 | Vienna | $2,930 |
| 6 | Springfield | $2,863 |
| 7 | Chantilly | $2,805 |
| 8 | Arlington | $2,798 |
| 9 | Lorton | $2,790 |
| 10 | Fairfax | $2,703 |
| 11 | Oakton | $2,700 |
| 12 | Ashburn | $2,700 |
| 13 | Sterling (this page) | $2,593 |
| 14 | Alexandria | $2,584 |
| 15 | McLean | $2,542 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Sterling.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Sterling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakton, VA | 10.3 mi | $2,700 | +$107 (+4%) |
| Vienna, VA | 12.1 mi | $2,930 | +$337 (+13%) |
| Leesburg, VA | 13.2 mi | $2,300 | $-293 (-11%) |
| North Potomac, MD | 13.4 mi | $2,267 | $-326 (-13%) |
| Fairfax, VA | 13.6 mi | $2,703 | +$110 (+4%) |
| Aldie, VA | 13.8 mi | $3,130 | +$537 (+21%) |
| McLean, VA | 15.8 mi | $2,542 | $-51 (-2%) |
| Gaithersburg, MD | 16.7 mi | $2,283 | $-310 (-12%) |
| Manassas Park, VA | 17.5 mi | $2,199 | $-394 (-15%) |
| Burke, VA | 18.5 mi | $2,940 | +$347 (+13%) |
| Bethesda, MD | 19.9 mi | $3,075 | +$482 (+19%) |
| Springfield, VA | 22.2 mi | $2,863 | +$270 (+10%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Sterling — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Sterling?
As of October 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Sterling, Virginia is $2,593 per month. This is +1% higher than the citywide median of $2,560.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Sterling?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $103,720 ($8,643/month gross), which works out to roughly $49.87/hour at a full-time job.
Is Sterling expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Sterling's 2-bedroom median of $2,593 is +56% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657. It ranks in the 88th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Sterling rank for 2-bedroom rent in Virginia?
Among the 78 cities in Virginia with 2-bedroom data, Sterling ranks #66 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Sterling?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Leesburg ($2,300), North Potomac ($2,267), McLean ($2,542).