Sterling, AK vs Valdez, AK

Sterling is moderately more affordable than Valdez, with a 7.9% lower cost of living index. Sterling scores 98 compared to 107 for Valdez, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Valdez can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Sterling is $1,095/month compared to $1,463/month in Valdez — a 25% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Sterling has cheaper rent, Valdez actually has lower median home values ($312,400 vs $346,100).

Median household income in Sterling is $110,341 compared to $97,067 in Valdez (+13.7%). 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 Sterling spend roughly 11.9% of their income on rent, less than the 18.1% in Valdez.

Climate-wise, Valdez is notably warmer with an average of 39.7°F compared to 35.6°F in Sterling. Valdez receives more rainfall at 67.9" per year compared to 18.3" in Sterling.