Sterling, IL vs Clinton, IA

Side-by-side comparison from the latest government data.

MetricSterling, ILClinton, IA
Population14,71724,322
Median Household Income$57,350$60,230
Median Rent$859/mo$791/mo
Median Home Value$108,700$118,200
Cost of Living (US = 100)——
Renters Paying 30%+ of Income42.4%47.1%
Poverty Rate15.3%18.5%
Unemployment Rate4.6% (county)5%
Violent Crime Rate /100k256283
Property Crime Rate /100k1,1482,247
Median AQI—45
Good AQI Days /yr—217
Summer Highs81°F82°F
Winter Lows17°F18°F
Snowfall29 in/yr32 in/yr
Avg Commute18.1 min18.9 min
Hospitals11
Avg Hospital Rating1.0 / 54.0 / 5
Students per Teacher16.212.5
College Degree Rate21.1%20.8%
Foreign-Born %5.4%2.5%
Population Growth (2020–2025)-3.2%-1.7%

Green = clearly better (more than 5% apart). Population, growth, weather, hospital count and foreign-born share aren’t scored.