Stanley 76 Excellent
Stanley Livability #16 ranked city in North Dakota#3,441 ranked city in the USARanks better than 88% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Stanley

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.

  • Crime Crime

    This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.

  • Employment Employment

    With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.

  • Housing Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.

What's it like Living in Stanley?

Stanley is a small-sized city located in the state of North Dakota. The city has a population of 2,803 inhabitants. At 88%, the majority of the Stanley population is White; this is followed by 4% Black and 1% Asian. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Stanley offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 19 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Stanley could be a positive experience compared to other cities in North Dakota if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Finding the best places to live in Stanley and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, crime, commute, health & safety and other important metrics.

Stanley, ND receives 77 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #10 in North Dakota and #2,798 in the USA. Compared to the United States average, Stanley ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Another exciting tidbit, is that Stanley ranks better than 90% of all US cities! There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Stanley scores well for crime (A+), cost of living (B+), employment (A+) and housing (A+) There is at least one category that did not score well in Stanley. The following was graded with a discouraging score: amenities (F).

Crime rates play a pivotal role in the decision-making process for anyone considering a move, as they directly influence the overall sense of safety, security and quality of life in a given location. Stanley shines in this regard, earning exemplary ratings for its exceptionally low violent crime rates, standing at 188 crimes per 100,000 residents. These rates are notably below the national average, underscoring the community's commitment to safety and contributing to an enhanced quality of life.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Stanley apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Stanley is actually affordable. The median home price for Stanley homes is $331,102, which is 12.6% higher than the North Dakota average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Stanley, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.4, which is 27.3% lower than the North Dakota average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Stanley

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Stanley?

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      Stanley transportation information

      Statistic Stanley North Dakota National
      Average one way commute19min17min26min
      Workers who drive to work85.7%80.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.4%9.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.9%0.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.4%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.4%3.6%2.8%
      Working from home4.4%4.9%4.6%
      Source: The Stanley, ND data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.