Lombard, IL vs Sterling, IL

The cost of living difference between Lombard, IL and Sterling, IL is dramatic. Sterling is 78.3% cheaper than Lombard, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Lombard has a cost index of 118 while Sterling sits at 66, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Lombard is $1,834/month compared to $780/month in Sterling — a 135% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Sterling is more affordable at $107,800 median vs $321,200.

Median household income in Lombard is $97,253 compared to $52,647 in Sterling (+84.7%). While Lombard is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Lombard spend roughly 22.6% of their income on rent, more than the 17.8% in Sterling.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.3°F vs 49.4°F). Lombard receives more rainfall at 37.9" per year compared to 37.2" in Sterling.