salaryRent is higher than in 68% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.2 years of household income. Commutes are long, about 30.1 minutes each way. Most homes (86.6%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $79,520 a year. That is $38 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Alaska cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Alaska. It is number 23 of 24 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Sterling?
Share of households by yearly income. 39.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Sterling
| Size | Sterling | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $982 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,294 | $1,509 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Sterling overall?
Everyday prices in Alaska overall are 2% above the U.S. average (index 102.4, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Sterling, so the Alaska figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Sterling
Life in Sterling
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Sterling?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $464 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $353,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $35,340 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Sterling, AK?
Renting in Sterling costs a median of about $1,988 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Alaska median is $1,651.
How much do I need to make to live in Sterling?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $79,520 a year, or $38 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Sterling cheap or expensive?
Sterling is rated OK: rent takes 21.6% of the typical household income of $110,455. It ranks 23rd cheapest of 24 Alaska cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Sterling?
The median homeowner in Sterling pays $2,223 a year in property taxes, about 0.63% of the median home value.
Is Sterling more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Alaska are 2% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Sterling?
The median home value in Sterling is $353,400, about 3.2 times the typical yearly household income.
6,323 people live in Sterling. Numbers are typical (middle) values.