Mankato, KS vs Sterling, KS

Mankato is moderately more affordable than Sterling, with a 14.6% lower cost of living index. Mankato scores 52 compared to 61 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 Mankato is $533/month compared to $618/month in Sterling — a 14% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mankato is more affordable at $53,900 median vs $130,200.

Median household income in Mankato is $51,250 compared to $51,304 in Sterling (-0.1%). Sterling does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Mankato spend roughly 12.5% of their income on rent, less than the 14.5% in Sterling.