Can A Pharmacist Afford Rent in Sterling, VA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 22.7% of gross income.
Sterling rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Virginia state estimate).
About rent and a pharmacist salary
Pharmacist pay covers comfortable rent in nearly every US city. At the national-average pharmacist salary, the 30% rule supports about $3,319 a month in rent — above median rent in all but a handful of high-cost coastal metros.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Virginia cities have lower median rent than Sterling, which improves the affordability math on a pharmacist salary:
Compare with full rent data for Sterling
View full rent data for Sterling, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a pharmacist afford rent in Sterling, VA?
Median rent in Sterling is $2,560 a month. A typical pharmacist in Virginia earns about $135,405 a year, which makes that rent 22.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a pharmacist afford in Sterling?
Using the 30% rule, a pharmacist salary in Virginia (~$135,405/yr) supports up to $3,385 a month in rent. Sterling's current median rent is $2,560/mo, which leaves a $825/mo buffer.
How many hours does a pharmacist work to cover rent in Sterling?
At an hourly equivalent of about $65 an hour, a pharmacist in Virginia works roughly 39.3 hours a month to cover Sterling's median rent of $2,560.
Where is rent cheaper than Sterling for a pharmacist?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Lorton ($2,558/mo), Smithfield ($2,554/mo), Reston ($2,553/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a pharmacist salary.