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Sterling, Illinois Retirement Guide
established retirement community
69
Retirement Score
Sterling, Illinois at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $102,400
- State Income Tax
- State income tax; Social Security and retirement income (pensions, 401k, IRA) fully exempt.
- Avg January Low
- 14.1°F
- Cost of Living Index
- 101.2 (US avg = 100)
- Best For
- established retirement community
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 69 / 100
Retirement Data
Affordability
Cost of Living Index
101.2 (U.S. avg = 100)High confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Home Price
$102,400High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$757High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Taxes
Retirement Tax Score
60 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated June 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security and retirement income (pensions, 401k, IRA) fully exempt.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated June 2026
Retiree Readiness (Sprint 2)
Care Access Score (proxy)
79.2 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score (proxy)
66.8 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Healthcare
Healthcare Access Score
79.2 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated June 2026
Climate
Avg July High
83.8°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated June 2026
Avg January Low
14.1°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated June 2026
Annual Precipitation
37"High confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated June 2026
Sunny Days / Year
278 daysHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated June 2026
Safety
Safety Score
92.3 / 100High confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026
Walkability
Walk Score (proxy)
65.8 / 100High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
2.1 / 100High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Demographics
Population
14,852High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Median Age
43.0High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Age 65+
22.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Median Household Income
$49,007High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Community Profile
Owner-Occupied Housing
62.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Veterans
8.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
16.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Poverty Rate
15.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Diversity
White
80.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Black
2.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Hispanic/Latino
26.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Asian
1.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Sterling using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$222
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$249
Median home price used: $102,400
Median rent reference: $757 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.