Living in Sterling, Virginia
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Sterling · Census data 2020–2024
Sterling has 32,411 residents with a median age of 35.3. The median household income is $123,303 (32% higher than the Virginia median), the median home value is $526,000, the median rent is $2,138/month.
Sterling at a glance
- Population
- 32,411
- Median age
- 35.3State: 39
- Median household income
- $123,303State: $93,170
- Median home value
- $526,000State: $383,700
- Median rent
- $2,138/moState: $1,579
- Homeowners
- 71.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 35.4%
- Average commute
- 24 min
Is Sterling a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 32% higher than the Virginia median; an average commute of 24 minutes; unemployment of 3.7%; a poverty rate of 8%.
Cons: Home values 37% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Sterling
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Sterling the median home value is $526,000, 58% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $2,138 per month, which is 28.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,445 a month in housing costs.
Sterling median household income
The median household income in Sterling is $123,303 and the income per person is $46,481. 8% of residents live below the poverty line (Virginia: 9.9%).
Housing in Sterling: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 10,102
- Owner-occupied
- 71.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 28.2%
- Vacant
- 2.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1982
- Average household size
- 3.29
Sterling demographics
- Population
- 32,411
- Median age
- 35.3
- Under 18
- 23.8%
- 65 and older
- 11.2%
- Households
- 9,813
- Foreign-born
- 46.5%
- Veterans
- 4.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Sterling ›
Education in Sterling
35.4% of adults 25 and older in Sterling have a bachelor's degree or higher (Virginia: 42.2%), and 11.8% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Sterling
- Unemployment rate
- 3.7%State: 4.3%
- Average commute
- 24 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 15.7%
- Drive alone
- 59.9%
- Public transit
- 1%
- Walk to work
- 0.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 94.2%
Sterling vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sterling | 32,411 | $123,303 | $526,000 | $2,138 |
| Dulles Town Center | 5,464 | $125,941 | $606,500 | $2,393 |
| Oak Grove | 2,408 | $174,423 | $640,300 | $2,519 |
| Dranesville | 11,828 | $214,688 | $744,500 | $3,187 |
| Herndon | 24,672 | $148,000 | $599,100 | $2,259 |
| Hutchison | 7,284 | $105,651 | $476,900 | $2,388 |
| Sugarland Run | 12,629 | $166,385 | $576,700 | $2,685 |
| Kincora | 1,008 | $134,279 | $582,700 | $2,047 |
| Cascades | 12,357 | $167,171 | $671,100 | $2,657 |
More for people moving to Sterling
Sterling ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Sterling: FAQ
What is the median household income in Sterling, VA?
The median household income in Sterling is $123,303, 32% higher than the Virginia median of $93,170 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Sterling?
The median home value in Sterling is $526,000, compared with $383,700 in Virginia.
How much is rent in Sterling?
The median gross rent in Sterling is $2,138 per month, about 28.6% of household income.
Is Sterling, VA a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 32% higher than the Virginia median; an average commute of 24 minutes; unemployment of 3.7%; a poverty rate of 8%. Minuses: home values 37% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Sterling?
The median age in Sterling is 35.3 years (Virginia: 39).
How long is the commute in Sterling?
The average commute to work in Sterling is 24 minutes; 15.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Sterling?
The unemployment rate in Sterling is 3.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Sterling?
35.4% of adults in Sterling have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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