Lincoln, ND vs Stanley, ND

Stanley is moderately more affordable than Lincoln, with a 5.7% lower cost of living index. Lincoln scores 90 compared to 85 for Stanley, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Lincoln can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Lincoln is $1,222/month compared to $1,120/month in Stanley — a 9% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Stanley is more affordable at $241,300 median vs $259,400.

Median household income in Lincoln is $83,387 compared to $105,893 in Stanley (-21.3%). Stanley offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Lincoln spend roughly 17.6% of their income on rent, more than the 12.7% in Stanley.

Climate-wise, Lincoln is notably warmer with an average of 43.1°F compared to 37.9°F in Stanley. Lincoln receives more rainfall at 19.1" per year compared to 15.7" in Stanley.