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City Report · NC

Stanley

Pop. 4,069·4th most expensive in North Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Stanley, NC
Median rent (all units)
$2,285/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+76.0%
vs US Median
+$320
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Stanley · $2,285
More expensive than 73% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
36% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,285/mo, rent takes about 36% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$91,000/yr
Local median income
$75,461/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Stanley's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,140
1 BR
$1,180
2 BR
$1,310
3 BR
$1,680
4 BR+
$2,010
Research median
$1,310/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: May 18, 2026

Annual cost
$27,420/yr
At $2,285/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +76.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Stanley, NC is majority owner-occupied, 23.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
4,069
Median income
$75,461
Median age
36.9
Renters
29.3%
Age distribution
20.7%
27.9%
23.7%
16.6%
Under 1820.7%
18–3427.9%
35–5423.7%
55–6411%
65+16.6%
Gender
48.9%
51.1%
Male48.9%
Female51.1%
Race & ethnicity
77.6%
White77.6%
Black10.5%
Hispanic8.2%
Other3.8%
Education (25+)
29.3%
40.6%
23.1%
No HS diploma7%
HS diploma29.3%
Some college40.6%
Bachelor's+23.1%
Housing tenure
70.7%
29.3%
Owner70.7%
Renter29.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Stanley, NC has changed in 5 years

Income
$56,847 → $75,461
up 32.7%
Population
3,911 → 4,069
up 4.0%
Renter share
31.9% → 29.3%
-2.6 pts
Bachelor's+
18.4% → 23.1%
+4.7 pts
Median age
38.1 → 36.9
-1.2 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $56,847 to $75,461 across the same window, up 32.7% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 3,911 to 4,069 between 2021 and 2024, a 4.0% change. About 29.3% of households rent today, against 31.9% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 18.4% to 23.1%.

Community

Discussions about Stanley

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View Stanley rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Stanley on your salary?

At $2,285/mo, how Stanley rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Stanley rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Stanley. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Stanley

About renting in Stanley, NC

Last updated: May 18, 2026

The median rent in Stanley is $2,285/mo as of May 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,140/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,310/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,180/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,680/mo.

At 36% of local median household income ($75,461/yr), Stanley ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Stanley an affordable city for renters?

Stanley is considered moderate for renters. At $2,285/mo, rent takes approximately 36% of the local median household income ($75,461/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Stanley slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Stanley?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $91,000/year (~$44/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,285/mo in Stanley. The local median household income is $75,461/yr, meaning the typical Stanley household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Stanley?

Rent in Stanley has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of May 2026.

How does Stanley rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?

Stanley is one of the pricier cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #4 out of 125 tracked cities at $2,285/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Stanley?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Stanley ($2,285/mo): Dallas ($1,705/mo), Cornelius ($1,778/mo), Denver ($1,788/mo).

What percentage of Stanley residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 29.3% of Stanley households are renters, while 70.7% are owner-occupied. Stanley leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Stanley rent compare to the national average?

Stanley's median rent of $2,285/mo is $320 (16%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #4 out of 125 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
36%
MODERATE

At $2,285/mo, rent takes ~36% of Stanley's median household income ($75,461/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Stanley 36%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Stanley, NC

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