3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Sterling, VA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Sterling, Virginia as of July 2026. That's +19% higher than the citywide median of $2,718 and +52% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in Virginia
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Martinsville | $1,060 |
| 2 | Farmville | $1,230 |
| 3 | Danville | $1,260 |
| 4 | Bellwood | $1,324 |
| 5 | Lexington | $1,370 |
| 6 | Madison Heights | $1,390 |
| 7 | Bristol | $1,420 |
| 8 | East Highland Park | $1,459 |
| 9 | Radford | $1,550 |
| 10 | Christiansburg | $1,570 |
| 11 | Roanoke | $1,584 |
| 12 | Montrose | $1,606 |
| 13 | Front Royal | $1,710 |
| 14 | Prince George | $1,713 |
| 15 | Salem | $1,720 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in Virginia
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Falls | $4,340 |
| 2 | Haymarket | $4,000 |
| 3 | Aldie | $3,910 |
| 4 | Gainesville | $3,840 |
| 5 | Burke | $3,680 |
| 6 | Vienna | $3,663 |
| 7 | Springfield | $3,580 |
| 8 | Chantilly | $3,510 |
| 9 | Arlington | $3,501 |
| 10 | Lorton | $3,490 |
| 11 | Oakton | $3,380 |
| 12 | Fairfax | $3,378 |
| 13 | Ashburn | $3,375 |
| 14 | Sterling (this page) | $3,243 |
| 15 | Alexandria | $3,231 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Sterling.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Sterling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakton, VA | 10.3 mi | $3,380 | +$137 (+4%) |
| Vienna, VA | 12.1 mi | $3,663 | +$420 (+13%) |
| Leesburg, VA | 13.2 mi | $2,875 | $-368 (-11%) |
| North Potomac, MD | 13.4 mi | $2,660 | $-583 (-18%) |
| Fairfax, VA | 13.6 mi | $3,378 | +$135 (+4%) |
| Aldie, VA | 13.8 mi | $3,910 | +$667 (+21%) |
| McLean, VA | 15.8 mi | $3,223 | $-20 (-1%) |
| Gaithersburg, MD | 16.7 mi | $2,857 | $-386 (-12%) |
| Manassas Park, VA | 17.5 mi | $2,234 | $-1,009 (-31%) |
| Burke, VA | 18.5 mi | $3,680 | +$437 (+13%) |
| Haymarket, VA | 18.6 mi | $4,000 | +$757 (+23%) |
| Bethesda, MD | 19.9 mi | $3,845 | +$602 (+19%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Sterling — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Sterling?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Sterling, Virginia is $3,243 per month. This is +19% higher than the citywide median of $2,718.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Sterling?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $129,720 ($10,810/month gross), which works out to roughly $62.37/hour at a full-time job.
Is Sterling expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Sterling's 3-bedroom median of $3,243 is +52% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 86th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Sterling rank for 3-bedroom rent in Virginia?
Among the 82 cities in Virginia with 3-bedroom data, Sterling ranks #69 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Sterling?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Leesburg ($2,875), North Potomac ($2,660), McLean ($3,223).