Dunbar, NE vs Sterling, NE

Dunbar is moderately more affordable than Sterling, with a 12.7% lower cost of living index. Dunbar scores 57 compared to 66 for Sterling, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Sterling can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Dunbar is $688/month compared to $793/month in Sterling — a 13% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Dunbar is more affordable at $57,600 median vs $120,700.

Median household income in Dunbar is $88,750 compared to $72,083 in Sterling (+23.1%). Dunbar offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Dunbar spend roughly 9.3% of their income on rent, less than the 13.2% in Sterling.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.2°F vs 51.2°F). Sterling receives more rainfall at 32.3" per year compared to 32.3" in Dunbar.