Cost of Living in Stanley, WI

Population 3,774 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023

51
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Stanley's median household income of $47,857 is a meaningful share below the national figure, which shapes most of the downstream economic indicators — from housing affordability to the share of residents living below the poverty line (16% here).

Located 100 miles northeast of Rochester, Stanley is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 47% lower than Rochester's $288,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 50
Rent 53

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Stanley

The median home value in Stanley is $153,200 — 50% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $693/month, 47% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $47,857/year is 36% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.1%, below the national average of 4.8%. Wisconsin's top state income tax rate is 7.7% and the combined sales tax is 5.4%. The climate averages highs of 55.2°F and lows of 34.2°F, with about 55.4" of annual snowfall. Overall, Stanley has a cost of living index of 51 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 49% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$153,200
50% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$88,708
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$693/mo
47% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.4x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$712
1 BR
$781
2 BR
$997
3 BR
$1,290
4 BR
$1,448
Owner-occupied 53.0%
Renter-occupied 47.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$693
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,307/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
25.3 min
6% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
75.4%
Carpooled
9.8%
Walked
6.6%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
7.9%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 7.7%
Total Sales Tax 5.4%
State rate 5.0%
Avg local rate 0.4%
Property Tax 1.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$47,857
36% below avg
Per Capita Income
$20,016
Unemployment Rate
4.1%
14% below avg
Poverty Rate
16.4%
Labor Force Participation
34.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 8.0%
Graduate degree 2.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39
Male median age 38.9
Female median age 40.4

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
55.2°F
Avg Low
34.2°F
Annual Precip
33"
Annual Snowfall
55.4"
23° 45° 68° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 232841577079838072584229
Low °F 6921334556605849372513
Precip" 1.031.101.973.083.914.833.614.183.652.491.791.35
Snow" 13.511.29.64.30.40.00.00.00.00.74.711.0

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

95%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.3:1
Student-teacher ratio
4
Public schools
1,104
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Stanley, WI?

Stanley has a cost index of 51 (100 = national average). It is 49% below the national average.

What is average rent in Stanley, WI?

The median gross rent in Stanley is $693 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Stanley?

The median home value in Stanley is $153,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Stanley?

The median household income in Stanley is $47,857 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Stanley, WI?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Stanley is 5.4%. The Wisconsin state income tax top rate is 7.7%.

Is Stanley, WI affordable?

Yes, Stanley is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 51 — about 49% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Stanley?

Stanley has average high temperatures of 55.2°F and average lows of 34.2°F. Annual precipitation is 33". Average annual snowfall is 55.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Stanley at a Glance

Population
3,774
Median Income
$47,857
Home Value
$153,200
Median Rent
$693/mo
Unemployment
4.1%
Avg High Temp
55.2°F
Sales Tax
5.4%
View all cities in Wisconsin →
🗺️ County data for Wisconsin

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs