Quality of Life in Surrey, ND
A livable area that tracks near national norms for affordability, walkability, and neighborhood health.
What does Quality of Life tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
What does this tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
Cost of Living
13% below national average
The Real Cost of Living in Surrey, ND for 2026
| Tier | Individual | Family (4) |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | $14k | $25k |
| Comfortable | $59k | $86k |
| Luxury | $116k+ | $181k+ |
| Elite (Top 5%) | $137k+ | $212k+ |
122%
The Area Signal
A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.
Limited data for this area
Limited data for this area
Hobbies
Explore the areaGroceries
5 within 10 miles
Gas
0 within 10 miles
Hospital
3 within 20 miles
Airport
JFK — John F. Kennedy Memorial
Post Office
USPS — Minot, ND
Critical Amenities
Quality-of-Life Analysis
Surrey, North Dakota, presents a quality of life defined by small-town tranquility and relative affluence within the state’s booming energy corridor. With a cost of living index of 87 (13% below the U.S. average), the community attracts a mix of oil-field professionals, remote workers, and families seeking affordable space near Minot’s job market. The population skews younger and more transient than the state average, driven by energy-sector employment, yet retains a stable core of long-term residents who value the quiet, rural atmosphere.
Cost of living, housing costs, and how Surrey compares to Minot
Surrey’s affordability is its strongest draw. The median home value of $302,200 is notably lower than Minot’s median of roughly $340,000, while median rent of $846 undercuts Minot’s average by about $150 per month. This price gap makes Surrey a practical choice for buyers and renters priced out of Minot’s tighter market. The overall cost of living index of 87 reflects savings across housing, utilities, and groceries, though transportation costs are slightly higher due to the 20.9-minute average commute into Minot. Property taxes in Ward County are moderate, and no state income tax in North Dakota further stretches household budgets. For comparison, nearby Burlington and Des Lacs offer even lower home prices but lack Surrey’s proximity to Minot’s retail and healthcare hubs.
Schools, daily amenities, and the rhythm of life in Surrey
Daily life in Surrey revolves around the Surrey Public School District, which serves roughly 400 students from pre-K through 12th grade and earns above-average ratings for its small class sizes and personalized instruction. The town itself has a grocery store, a few restaurants, and a gas station, but most residents commute to Minot for major shopping, dining, and medical services—a 15-minute drive east on U.S. Highway 2. The commute is manageable, averaging under 21 minutes one-way, though winter weather can extend travel times. Recreational amenities are limited to local parks and the nearby Souris River for fishing and kayaking; for gyms, movie theaters, or cultural events, residents head to Minot. The pace of life is unhurried, with a strong sense of neighborly connection and low crime rates—violent crime in Surrey is roughly half the national average, per 2024 data.
Surrey is best suited for those who prioritize affordability and space over urban convenience. Families with school-age children benefit from the district’s small-school environment, while energy-sector workers and remote professionals appreciate the low cost of living and short commute to Minot. Retirees on fixed incomes will find the housing costs and tax structure favorable, though those needing frequent medical care may prefer Minot itself. Anyone seeking a vibrant nightlife, walkable downtown, or diverse dining options will find Surrey too quiet. For buyers and renters willing to trade amenities for financial breathing room and a tight-knit community, Surrey offers a compelling, grounded quality of life in North Dakota’s oil patch.
Crime in Surrey, ND
Lower crime rates than 98% of comparable U.S. locations.
Violent CrimeViolent Crime Analysis
Property CrimeProperty Crime Analysis
Crime Analysis
Surrey, North Dakota, presents an exceptionally low-crime environment, with violent crime rates at zero per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of just 68.7 per 100,000. This small city, located just west of Minot, offers a level of safety that far exceeds both state and national averages, making it one of the most secure communities in the region for families and retirees alike.
Crime in context
Surrey’s violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 is a statistical outlier in a positive sense, standing in stark contrast to the national average of roughly 380 per 100,000 and the North Dakota state average of approximately 330 per 100,000. Property crime in Surrey, at 68.7 per 100,000, is similarly minuscule compared to the national rate of about 1,950 per 100,000 and the state average of roughly 1,800 per 100,000. These figures place Surrey among the safest municipalities in the state, a status reinforced by its small population (around 2,000 residents) and its distance from the higher-crime dynamics of larger urban centers. The city’s proximity to Minot, which has a higher crime rate, does not appear to spill over into Surrey, likely due to the buffer of rural land and the community’s tight-knit social structure.
What residents experience
Daily life in Surrey is characterized by a near-total absence of serious crime. Residents report feeling safe walking at night, leaving doors unlocked, and allowing children to play outdoors without constant supervision. The property crime rate, while not zero, is so low that incidents like theft or vandalism are rare and often isolated. This safety is supported by a local police department that maintains a visible presence and by a community where neighbors know one another. For those moving from larger metropolitan areas, the contrast is stark: the progressive justice policies that critics argue can lead to higher recidivism and more offenders on the street in liberal cities are not a factor here. Surrey’s justice system, operating within a conservative state framework, prioritizes enforcement and accountability, which directly contributes to the low crime figures and a sense of public security.
Neighborhood-level variation
Given Surrey’s small size and homogeneous layout, neighborhood-level crime variation is minimal. The entire city benefits from the same low-crime environment, with no statistically significant hotspots or areas of concern. The newer subdivisions on the western edge of town, which attract families and commuters working in Minot’s energy sector, report the same safety profile as the older core near the railroad tracks. This uniformity is a key selling point: unlike in larger metro areas where crime can vary block by block, Surrey offers consistent peace of mind across all residential streets. For readers concerned about the negative impacts of progressive judicial policies in larger cities, Surrey represents a clear alternative where public safety is prioritized and crime rates reflect that commitment.
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-19T05:15:57.000Z
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