Sterling, AK vs Wasilla, AK

Sterling, AK and Wasilla, AK have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.8% difference in their overall index. Sterling scores 98 while Wasilla scores 98 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 Sterling is $1,095/month compared to $1,104/month in Wasilla — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Sterling has cheaper rent, Wasilla actually has lower median home values ($325,000 vs $346,100).

Median household income in Sterling is $110,341 compared to $70,756 in Wasilla (+55.9%). While Sterling is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Sterling spend roughly 11.9% of their income on rent, less than the 18.7% in Wasilla.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (35.6°F vs 37.1°F). Sterling receives more rainfall at 18.3" per year compared to 12.6" in Wasilla.