North Dakota Cost of Living
Housing costs and affordability data for 53 counties.
Average Monthly Rent
$770/mo
Average Home Value
$168,606
Average Owner Cost
$766/mo
County cost atlas
North Dakota housing costs by county
Compare rent, entry-price context, owner costs, and cost score in one state view. Pin a county, switch layers, then open the full county profile when a place needs closer review.
Counties
53
Avg rent
$770/mo
Owner cost
$766/mo
Avg score
65.3
Higher means lower cost pressure
Atlas layers use U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. Rent, owner cost, and home value are county medians. Cost score rewards lower rent and lower owner costs, but affordability still depends on income, household size, commute, debt, and personal finances. Use this as decision context, not personalized financial advice.
State Cost Summary
Use these state averages as a starting point, then scan the atlas and rankings for the county-level spread behind them.
Housing Costs in North Dakota: An Overview
The median rent in North Dakota is $770 per month, which is 34% below the national median of $1,163. That is useful statewide context, but rent burden still depends on local income, household size, commute, and the county a household chooses.
Within North Dakota, housing costs vary significantly by county. McKenzie County has the highest median rent in this dataset at $1,153 per month and a median home value of $357,300. Sheridan County has the lowest reported median rent at $373 per month and a median home value of $107,700.
The average home value across North Dakota counties is $168,606, 40% lower than the national median of $281,900. Median household income is roughly $72,537, so home values should be read alongside local wages, financing costs, taxes, insurance, and supply.
Before comparing places in North Dakota, start with the county-level pattern. Costs can swing dramatically between rural and urban counties. Use the atlas, rankings, and county links below to compare rent, home values, owner costs, and rent burden before opening a specific county profile.
Distribution
Rent Distribution in North Dakota
How median rents are spread across 53 counties
Highest Median Rent Counties
Lowest Median Rent Counties
All North Dakota Counties
Sorted by median rent, highest first. A higher cost score means lower rent and owner cost pressure within the national scoring model.
| County | Median Rent | Home Value | Owner Cost | Cost Score | Rent/Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McKenzie County | Moderate$1,153/mo | $357,300 | $1,151/mo | 19.1 | 19.0% |
| Williams County | Moderate$1,108/mo | $267,800 | $991/mo | 26.0 | 23.0% |
| Divide County | Moderate$1,064/mo | $173,100 | $604/mo | 52.8 | 13.0% |
| Mercer County | Moderate$1,043/mo | $196,200 | $794/mo | 40.1 | 29.0% |
| Morton County | Moderate$1,036/mo | $249,600 | $1,193/mo | 22.0 | 25.0% |
| Ward County | Moderate$1,000/mo | $259,100 | $1,228/mo | 22.6 | 23.0% |
| Burleigh County | Affordable$996/mo | $314,700 | $1,174/mo | 24.1 | 24.0% |
| Grand Forks County | Affordable$971/mo | $244,200 | $1,229/mo | 24.3 | 27.0% |
| Stark County | Affordable$966/mo | $260,400 | $1,211/mo | 25.2 | 26.0% |
| Dunn County | Affordable$941/mo | $244,000 | $789/mo | 45.9 | 17.0% |
| Cass County | Affordable$930/mo | $284,700 | $1,440/mo | 23.5 | 25.0% |
| Bowman County | Affordable$869/mo | $176,400 | $730/mo | 55.9 | 19.0% |
| Mountrail County | Affordable$864/mo | $222,200 | $627/mo | 64.0 | 18.0% |
| Cavalier County | Affordable$859/mo | $122,300 | $774/mo | 53.5 | 28.0% |
| Golden Valley County | Affordable$856/mo | $119,200 | $525/mo | 71.1 | 20.0% |
| Kidder County | Affordable$847/mo | $138,500 | $525/mo | 72.2 | 24.0% |
| Logan County | Affordable$847/mo | $101,800 | $633/mo | 65.5 | 29.0% |
| Renville County | Affordable$846/mo | $163,400 | $819/mo | 52.3 | 24.0% |
| Sargent County | Affordable$835/mo | $149,600 | $805/mo | 54.3 | 21.0% |
| Hettinger County | Affordable$830/mo | $110,900 | $618/mo | 68.2 | 21.0% |
| Pierce County | Affordable$807/mo | $143,400 | $701/mo | 64.7 | 26.0% |
| Barnes County | Affordable$779/mo | $168,100 | $844/mo | 58.4 | 24.0% |
| McLean County | Affordable$768/mo | $233,100 | $831/mo | 61.1 | 21.0% |
| Walsh County | Affordable$766/mo | $125,700 | $692/mo | 71.3 | 22.0% |
| Bottineau County | Affordable$763/mo | $190,900 | $739/mo | 68.3 | 20.0% |
| Traill County | Affordable$758/mo | $193,200 | $986/mo | 53.0 | 21.0% |
| Foster County | Affordable$756/mo | $162,800 | $788/mo | 65.2 | 31.0% |
| Richland County | Affordable$751/mo | $177,600 | $807/mo | 64.5 | 23.0% |
| Dickey County | Affordable$749/mo | $167,100 | $833/mo | 63.0 | 25.0% |
| Stutsman County | Affordable$742/mo | $200,300 | $843/mo | 63.0 | 26.0% |
| McHenry County | Affordable$737/mo | $143,200 | $712/mo | 72.8 | 17.0% |
| Burke County | Affordable$725/mo | $141,900 | $663/mo | 78.2 | 15.0% |
| Oliver County | Affordable$725/mo | $217,000 | $782/mo | 69.2 | 21.0% |
| Slope County | Affordable$719/mo | $121,300 | $509/mo | 88.2 | 26.0% |
| Towner County | Affordable$719/mo | $122,800 | $643/mo | 80.4 | 22.0% |
| Ransom County | Affordable$710/mo | $174,800 | $872/mo | 64.5 | 22.0% |
| Pembina County | Affordable$692/mo | $116,600 | $593/mo | 85.6 | 22.0% |
| Ramsey County | Affordable$687/mo | $197,400 | $809/mo | 70.8 | 24.0% |
| Grant County | Affordable$650/mo | $85,800 | $590/mo | 88.5 | 32.0% |
| Billings County | Affordable$630/mo | $322,500 | $838/mo | 71.8 | 12.0% |
| Steele County | Affordable$630/mo | $120,400 | $661/mo | 84.8 | 17.0% |
| Wells County | Affordable$630/mo | $106,400 | $644/mo | 85.9 | 27.0% |
| Benson County | Affordable$616/mo | $83,100 | $572/mo | 91.3 | 16.0% |
| Eddy County | Affordable$615/mo | $115,500 | $613/mo | 88.5 | 17.0% |
| LaMoure County | Affordable$607/mo | $118,000 | $692/mo | 83.3 | 22.0% |
| Griggs County | Affordable$606/mo | $128,200 | $660/mo | 86.0 | 17.0% |
| McIntosh County | Affordable$600/mo | $80,300 | $489/mo | 96.1 | 25.0% |
| Nelson County | Affordable$593/mo | $114,500 | $655/mo | 86.6 | 17.0% |
| Emmons County | Affordable$551/mo | $112,400 | $576/mo | 92.5 | 30.0% |
| Adams County | Affordable$545/mo | $108,300 | $585/mo | 92.0 | 22.0% |
| Rolette County | Affordable$479/mo | $93,000 | $553/mo | 94.7 | 17.0% |
| Sioux County | Affordable$466/mo | $87,400 | $438/mo | 99.1 | 21.0% |
| Sheridan County | Affordable$373/mo | $107,700 | $543/mo | 95.5 | 17.0% |
Compare North Dakota to Other States
See how North Dakota counties stack up against counties in other states. Compare rent, home values, and affordability side by side.
Start a ComparisonFrequently Asked Questions About North Dakota Housing Costs
What is the most affordable county in North Dakota?
What is the most expensive county to live in North Dakota?
How does North Dakota's cost of living compare to the national average?
What is the average home value in North Dakota?
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Compare Moving QuotesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.