Sterling, Kansas
AffordabilityAffordability: grade C, better than 42% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade B, better than 61% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade B, better than 54% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade D, better than 20% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade B, better than 60% of US places
- top 11% for monthly rent
- top 11% for sunny days
- bottom 10% for airport distance
Sterling is a small community in Kansas with about 2,507 residents. It grades B for weather and D for getting around. Standout strengths include monthly rent, sunny days, and park & nature access. It rates lower on comfortable days and airport distance.
- The median home value in Sterling is $129k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median household income in Sterling is $49k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median gross rent in Sterling is $624 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Sterling has a violent crime rate of 129/100k, per the FBI Uniform Crime Reports.
- July temperatures in Sterling average around 81°F, per the NOAA nClimGrid.
Climate
Hot summers · Cold winters · Moderate rain · Light snow
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81%64%clearovercast
Precipitation 3.9 in0.9 in
humid 84%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$49k27th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$44kbetter than 68% of US places
Home Value$129k37th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$624better than 90% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$588better than 34% of US places
Property Tax Rate1.66%better than 19% of US places
Income Tax5.70%better than 39% of US places
Sales Tax8.75%better than 22% of US places
Estimated total tax burden12.90%better than 25% of US places
Unemployment2.0%better than 68% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)31°F47th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)81°F77th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation29.0 in22nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall9.3 inbetter than 62% of US places
Sunny Days278 daysbetter than 89% of US places
Summer Humidity65°Fbetter than 44% of US places
Comfortable Days52 daysbetter than 10% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk84.5better than 18% of US places
Air Quality48 AQIbetter than 37% of US places
School Quality56.5better than 47% of US places
Violent Crime129/100kbetter than 84% of US places
Property Crime430/100kbetter than 73% of US places
Community
Population2,50768th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age26.45th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.1948th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio1.0971st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningR+5482nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)86.0%52nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)4.2%74th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)6.9%65th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)0.1%55th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)2.9%50th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Walkability6.5/20better than 50% of US places
Airport Distance189 mibetter than 10% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access88.6%better than 59% of US places
Amenities Nearby19.94better than 21% of US places
Park & Nature AccessExcellentbetter than 89% of US places
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Sterling an affordable place to live?
- Sterling is relatively affordable. Its cost-of-living index is $44k, better than 68% of comparable areas. Median rent is $624.
- Is Sterling safe?
- Sterling is safer than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 129/100k (better than 84%). Property crime is 430/100k.
- What is the weather like in Sterling?
- Sterling averages 81°F in July and 31°F in January, with 29.0 in of annual precipitation and about 278 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Sterling?
- Public-school quality in Sterling is about average, scoring better than 47% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.