McLean, VA vs Sterling, VA

The cost of living difference between McLean, VA and Sterling, VA is dramatic. Sterling is 76.9% cheaper than McLean, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. McLean has a cost index of 248 while Sterling sits at 140, 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 McLean is $3,376/month compared to $1,979/month in Sterling — a 71% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Sterling is more affordable at $508,400 median vs $1,304,900.

Median household income in McLean is $250,001 compared to $125,753 in Sterling (+98.8%). While McLean is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of McLean spend roughly 16.2% of their income on rent, less than the 18.9% in Sterling.