Sterling, NE vs Union, NE

Sterling, NE and Union, NE have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.5% difference in their overall index. Sterling scores 66 while Union scores 65 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 $793/month compared to $775/month in Union — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Union is more affordable at $109,400 median vs $120,700.

Median household income in Sterling is $72,083 compared to $57,500 in Union (+25.4%). 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 13.2% of their income on rent, less than the 16.2% in Union.

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