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Cost of living in North Dakota

Everyday prices in North Dakota run 11.0% below the US average, the 8th lowest of 51 states and DC.

By Sol Lakein. Updated November 2026.

North Dakota next to New York and the US

Longer bar = costs more.1,4,2,3
North DakotaUnited StatesNew York metro

How affordable is North Dakota?

Rent and home prices next to what households earn.6
$85,060
Typical household incomeA year · 32nd highest of 51
15%
Of income goes to rentA year of 2-bed rent ($1,076/mo) against median income ($85,060). 2nd lowest of 51.
4.4
Years of income to buy a home$370,700 median listing against $85,060 income. 17th lowest of 50.

Are people moving to North Dakota?

512 more people moved to North Dakota from other states than left between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

Where Americans are moving5

North Dakota next to its neighbors

The states that border North Dakota, on the same measures. The number is each state's national rank on everyday prices.1,4,2
  1. 6South Dakota11% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,148
    Typical home
    $375,000
    Net moves
    +2,169
  2. 8North DakotaThis state11% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,076
    Typical home
    $370,700
    Net moves
    +512
  3. 22Montana5% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,281
    Typical home
    $635,000
    Net moves
    +6,348
  4. 30Minnesota1% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,443
    Typical home
    $379,900
    Net moves
    +8,300

North Dakota by the numbers

Every figure on this page, as tables

North Dakota next to New York and the US

PlacePrice levelHousingTypical homeMonthly payment2-bedroom rent
North Dakota89.071.4$370,700$2,037$1,076
United States100.0100.0$419,250$2,304$1,563
New York metro112.6148.6$742,000$4,078$1,997

North Dakota next to its neighbors

StatePrice level2-bedroom rentTypical homeNet moves from other states
North Dakota89.0$1,076$370,700+512
Minnesota98.6$1,443$379,900+8,300
Montana94.6$1,281$635,000+6,348
South Dakota88.6$1,148$375,000+2,169

Net moves from other states

Year (July to July)Net moves from other states
2019-20-2,766
2020-21-3,878
2021-22-2,744
2022-23+930
2023-24-423
2024-25+512

States with a similar cost of living to North Dakota

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North Dakota cost of living: questions people ask

What is the cost of living in North Dakota?

Everyday prices in North Dakota run 11.0% below the US average, the 8th lowest of 51 states and DC (BEA, 2024). Housing costs, rent included, index at 71.4 against a US average of 100. The median listed home is $370,700 (Realtor.com, September 2026), about $2,037 a month in principal and interest. The median 2-bedroom rent is $1,076 a month, utilities included (Census, 2025). A $150,000 salary in New York buys the same as $118,546 in North Dakota.

Is North Dakota cheap or expensive to live in?

Cheaper than average. North Dakota's regional price parity is 89.0, so the same basket of goods, services and rent costs 11.0% less than the US average (BEA, 2024).

How much does a house cost in North Dakota?

The median listed home in North Dakota is $370,700 as of September 2026 (Realtor.com via FRED), against $419,250 nationally. That ranks 19th lowest of 50. With 20% down at 7.32%, principal and interest run about $2,037 a month.

How much is rent in North Dakota?

The median gross rent for a 2-bedroom in North Dakota is $1,076 a month, including utilities the renter pays, against $1,563 for the US (Census American Community Survey, 2025).

What salary in North Dakota equals $150,000 in New York?

About $118,546, using BEA regional price parities for North Dakota (89.0) and the New York metro (112.6), 2024.

Are people moving to North Dakota?

512 more people moved to North Dakota from other states than left between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

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Notes on the numbers
  1. 1Everyday prices, housing costs and price levels: BEA regional price parities via FRED, 2024, where the US average is 100. In ranked lists, 1 is the cheapest.
  2. 2Homes: the typical home is the median listing price, Realtor.com via FRED, September 2026.
  3. 3Mortgage: Principal and interest on the median listed home with 20% down, 30-year fixed at 7.32% (Freddie Mac 30-year fixed average, week of October 22, 2026). Excludes taxes, insurance and HOA.
  4. 4Rent: Census ACS 2025 1-year, median gross rent for 2-bedroom units, including utilities.
  5. 5Net moves: US Census Bureau population estimates, net domestic migration, July to July.
  6. 6Affordability: our arithmetic on Census median gross rent (2025), Census median household income (2025) and Realtor.com median listing price (September 2026). Rank 1 is the most affordable.
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