Maxwell, NE vs Sterling, NE

Maxwell, NE and Sterling, NE have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.6% difference in their overall index. Maxwell scores 64 while Sterling scores 66 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Maxwell is $821/month compared to $793/month in Sterling — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Sterling has cheaper rent, Maxwell actually has lower median home values ($89,700 vs $120,700).

Median household income in Maxwell is $78,750 compared to $72,083 in Sterling (+9.2%). Maxwell offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Maxwell spend roughly 12.5% of their income on rent, less than the 13.2% in Sterling.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.9°F vs 51.2°F). Sterling receives more rainfall at 32.3" per year compared to 21.1" in Maxwell.