Milan, IL vs Sterling, IL

Milan, IL and Sterling, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.4% difference in their overall index. Milan scores 66 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 Milan is $817/month compared to $780/month in Sterling — a 5% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Sterling is more affordable at $107,800 median vs $120,300.

Median household income in Milan is $61,188 compared to $52,647 in Sterling (+16.2%). Milan offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Milan spend roughly 16% of their income on rent, less than the 17.8% in Sterling.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.2°F vs 49.4°F). Milan receives more rainfall at 38.3" per year compared to 37.2" in Sterling.