Studio Apartment Rent in Sterling, VA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Sterling, Virginia as of July 2026. That's +17% lower than the citywide median of $2,718 and +75% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Sterling
Compare Sterling's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Virginia
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Danville | $630 |
| 2 | Martinsville | $700 |
| 3 | Bristol | $780 |
| 4 | Lexington | $830 |
| 5 | Farmville | $850 |
| 6 | Madison Heights | $880 |
| 7 | Roanoke | $883 |
| 8 | Christiansburg | $900 |
| 9 | Radford | $900 |
| 10 | Salem | $960 |
| 11 | Front Royal | $970 |
| 12 | Blacksburg | $990 |
| 13 | Waynesboro | $1,060 |
| 14 | Lynchburg | $1,100 |
| 15 | Harrisonburg | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Virginia
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Falls | $3,020 |
| 2 | Haymarket | $2,780 |
| 3 | Aldie | $2,720 |
| 4 | Gainesville | $2,670 |
| 5 | Burke | $2,560 |
| 6 | Vienna | $2,547 |
| 7 | Springfield | $2,490 |
| 8 | Chantilly | $2,440 |
| 9 | Arlington | $2,433 |
| 10 | Lorton | $2,430 |
| 11 | Oakton | $2,350 |
| 12 | Fairfax | $2,350 |
| 13 | Ashburn | $2,350 |
| 14 | Sterling (this page) | $2,257 |
| 15 | Alexandria | $2,249 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 4 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Sterling.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Sterling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakton, VA | 10.3 mi | $2,350 | +$93 (+4%) |
| Vienna, VA | 12.1 mi | $2,547 | +$290 (+13%) |
| Leesburg, VA | 13.2 mi | $2,000 | $-257 (-11%) |
| Fairfax, VA | 13.6 mi | $2,350 | +$93 (+4%) |
| Aldie, VA | 13.8 mi | $2,720 | +$463 (+21%) |
| McLean, VA | 15.8 mi | $2,243 | $-14 (-1%) |
| Gaithersburg, MD | 16.7 mi | $1,983 | $-274 (-12%) |
| Manassas Park, VA | 17.5 mi | $1,908 | $-349 (-15%) |
| Burke, VA | 18.5 mi | $2,560 | +$303 (+13%) |
| Haymarket, VA | 18.6 mi | $2,780 | +$523 (+23%) |
| Bethesda, MD | 19.9 mi | $2,675 | +$418 (+19%) |
| Springfield, VA | 22.2 mi | $2,490 | +$233 (+10%) |
Studio rent in Sterling — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Sterling?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Sterling, Virginia is $2,257 per month. This is +17% below the citywide median of $2,718.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Sterling?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $90,280 ($7,523/month gross), which works out to roughly $43.40/hour at a full-time job.
Is Sterling expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Sterling's studio median of $2,257 is +75% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 94th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Sterling rank for studio rent in Virginia?
Among the 79 cities in Virginia with studio data, Sterling ranks #66 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Sterling?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Leesburg ($2,000), McLean ($2,243), Gaithersburg ($1,983).