Valley City 73 Excellent
Valley City Livability #35 ranked city in North Dakota#5,219 ranked city in the USARanks better than 82% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Valley City

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.

  • 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.

  • Commute Commute

    Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.

What's it like Living in Valley City?

Valley City, North Dakota is a small-sized city with a population of 6,631 people. At 88%, the majority of the Valley City population is White; this is followed by 4% Black and 3% American Indian and Alaskan. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Valley City offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 18 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Living in Valley City can be a positive experience for anyone relocating to the city. Having said that, in the state of North Dakota, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, crime, commute, education, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Valley City and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Valley City to North Dakota and the national average.

Valley City has a livability score of 73 out of 100 and is ranked #31 in North Dakota and #4,754 in the USA. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Valley City ranks very well for crime (B+), education (B) and housing (A+). There are some categories that Valley City scores poorly for, including: amenities (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to find out why.

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. Valley City shines in this regard, earning exemplary ratings for its exceptionally low violent crime rates, standing at 153 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.

The Valley City unemployment rate of 1.4% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Valley City can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Valley City. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Valley City are affordable. The median home price for Valley City homes is $243,495, which is 17.2% lower than the North Dakota average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Valley City, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.2, which is 3% lower than the North Dakota average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Valley City

See all the best places to live around Valley City

How Do You Rate The Livability In Valley City?

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Compare Valley City, ND Livability

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      Valley City transportation information

      Statistic Valley City North Dakota National
      Average one way commute18min17min26min
      Workers who drive to work79.4%80.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool12.3%9.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.5%0.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.7%0.4%0.6%
      Workers who walk5.6%3.6%2.8%
      Working from home1.2%4.9%4.6%
      Source: The Valley City, 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.