ZIP Code · VA

ZIP 20166

Part of Sterling, VA

Pop. 14,949·Loudoun County·37th most expensive ZIP in Virginia

Median rent (all units)

$2,530/mo

Year-over-Year

+1.7%

Month-over-Month

+0.6%

vs US Median

+$598

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 20166 · $2,530

More expensive than 81% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,190

1 BR

$2,260

2 BR

$2,520

3 BR

$3,180

4 BR+

$3,740

Research median

$2,520/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Cheapest month to sign

January. Asking rents in ZIP 20166 usually run 1.3% below trend in January and 1.9% above it in June, about $81 a month apart at today's median. Based on 5 years of data.

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 20166 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in March 2021.

Past year vs. the rest of Virginia

Rent in ZIP 20166 changed +1.7% over the year to September 2026. Across the 169 Virginia ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.4%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 2 months in a row, and rose in 7 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($133,401) is $3,335 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($3,180); a 4-bedroom is $3,740.

Rank in Sterling

2nd cheapest of 3 ZIP codes in Sterling.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 20166. The seasonal pattern compares Zillow’s seasonally adjusted and unadjusted series. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$30,360/yr

At $2,530/mo median

Location

CitySterling

StateVA

CountyLoudoun County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (1.7% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+1.7% YoY, +0.6% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 20166 (Sterling, VA) is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 65.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

14,949

Median income

$133,401

Median age

Renters

50.5%

Age distribution

25.9%

26%

31.9%

Under 1825.9%

18–3426%

35–5431.9%

55–6410%

65+6.2%

Gender

53.5%

46.5%

Male53.5%

Female46.5%

Race & ethnicity

31.5%

14.1%

17%

32%

White31.5%

Black14.1%

Hispanic17%

Asian32%

Other5.4%

Education (25+)

14.7%

13.6%

65.3%

No HS diploma6.4%

HS diploma14.7%

Some college13.6%

Bachelor's+65.3%

Housing tenure

49.5%

50.5%

Owner49.5%

Renter50.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 20166 in Sterling, VA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,867 → $2,530

up 35.5%

Income

$121,350 → $133,401

up 9.9%

Population

13,148 → 14,949

up 13.7%

Renter share

46.5% → 50.5%

+4.0 pts

Bachelor's+

61.3% → 65.3%

+4.0 pts

Median age

32.7 → 34

+1.3 yrs

Five years ago, renters in ZIP 20166 in Sterling, VA paid around $1,867 a month. That figure now sits near $2,530, up 35.5% from the 2021 baseline. Household income in the area moved from $121,350 to $133,401 across the same window, up 9.9% versus 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show ZIP 20166 in Sterling, VA adding about 1,801 residents over the five-year window, up 13.7% on net. The renter share has risen from 46.5% to 50.5%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 61.3% to 65.3% across the same window. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in ZIP 20166 in Sterling, VA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

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About renting in ZIP 20166

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 20166 covers Sterling, VA. The median rent here is $2,530/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $2,260/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $2,520/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($133,401/yr), ZIP 20166 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 20166?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $101,000/year (about $49/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,530/mo in ZIP 20166. The local median household income is $133,401/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 20166?

Rent in ZIP 20166 has risen 1.7% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in March 2021.

When is the cheapest time to rent in ZIP 20166?

Asking rents in ZIP 20166 are usually lowest in January, about 1.3% below their yearly trend, and highest in June, about 1.9% above it. At today's median that is a gap of roughly $81 a month. This pattern comes from 5 years of Zillow rent data.

How does ZIP 20166 compare to other ZIPs in Virginia?

ZIP 20166 is one of the pricier among Virginia ZIP codes for rent, ranking #37 of 194 at $2,530/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 20166 changed +1.7%, against a typical +3.4% across the 169 Virginia ZIP codes Zillow tracks.