Mount Vernon, VA vs Sterling, VA

Sterling is moderately more affordable than Mount Vernon, with a 8.6% lower cost of living index. Mount Vernon scores 152 compared to 140 for Sterling, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Mount Vernon can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Mount Vernon is $1,643/month compared to $1,979/month in Sterling — a 17% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Mount Vernon has cheaper rent, Sterling actually has lower median home values ($508,400 vs $779,800).

Median household income in Mount Vernon is $156,875 compared to $125,753 in Sterling (+24.7%). While Mount Vernon is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Mount Vernon spend roughly 12.6% of their income on rent, less than the 18.9% in Sterling.