Pierce, NE vs Sterling, NE

Sterling is moderately more affordable than Pierce, with a 8.8% lower cost of living index. Pierce scores 72 compared to 66 for Sterling, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Pierce can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Pierce is $883/month compared to $793/month in Sterling — a 11% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Sterling is more affordable at $120,700 median vs $157,600.

Median household income in Pierce is $64,167 compared to $72,083 in Sterling (-11%). Sterling offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Pierce spend roughly 16.5% of their income on rent, more than the 13.2% in Sterling.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.2°F vs 51.2°F). Sterling receives more rainfall at 32.3" per year compared to 27" in Pierce.