Cost of Living in North Dakota

Avg Index: 74

9 cities · Updated March 2026

$969
Avg Rent / Month
$74,870
Avg Income
$257,222
Avg Home Value
74
Avg Cost Index
2.5%
Income Tax
5.0%
Sales Tax
Cheapest in North Dakota
Jamestown
Index: 56 · Rent: $741/mo
Most Expensive in North Dakota
West Fargo
Index: 88 · Rent: $1,075/mo

North Dakota Cost of Living Overview

North Dakota is significantly more affordable than the national average, with a state-wide cost index of 74. The average monthly rent across North Dakota cities is $969, with median household incomes averaging $74,870 per year. The cheapest city is Jamestown (index 56) and the most expensive is West Fargo (index 88).

North Dakota has a moderate tax environment with a 2.5% top income tax rate, 5.0% sales tax, and 0.98% effective property tax rate.

All 9 Cities in North Dakota — Ranked by Cost

Sorted from cheapest to most expensive (US average = 100)

#CityCost Index RentIncomeHome ValuePopulation
1 Jamestown 56 $741/mo $54,809 $192,500 15,774
2 Grand Forks 72 $958/mo $63,838 $243,300 58,882
3 Fargo 73 $916/mo $66,029 $269,800 129,064
4 Minot 73 $928/mo $77,431 $254,400 47,922
5 Dickinson 74 $963/mo $76,964 $252,400 25,216
6 Mandan 77 $1,044/mo $75,966 $246,300 24,293
7 Bismarck 78 $992/mo $77,608 $291,400 74,146
8 Williston 80 $1,106/mo $84,309 $262,700 27,964
9 West Fargo 88 $1,075/mo $96,877 $302,200 39,325

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about cost of living in North Dakota

What is the cost of living in North Dakota?
The average cost of living index across 9 cities in North Dakota is 74 (US average = 100). Average rent is $969/month and median household income averages $74,870/year.
What is the cheapest city in North Dakota?
The cheapest city in North Dakota is Jamestown with a cost index of 56, median rent of $741/month, and median income of $54,809/year.
What is the most expensive city in North Dakota?
The most expensive city in North Dakota is West Fargo with a cost index of 88, median rent of $1,075/month, and median income of $96,877/year.
What are taxes like in North Dakota?
North Dakota has a top income tax rate of 2.5%, a sales tax of 5.0%, and an effective property tax rate of 0.98%.
How many cities does CostToLive cover in North Dakota?
We track cost of living data for 9 cities in North Dakota with populations of 10,000 or more, using US Census Bureau ACS 2023 data.