Cost of Living in North Dakota
Updated November 2026 · population 784,841
North Dakota prices are 11.0% below the US average (index 89.0), ranking 44th most expensive of 51 states and DC; housing is the biggest saving at 71.4, and a single adult's modelled budget at state-average prices is about $2,240 a month.
Prices by category
North Dakota price index by category, US average = 100: All items 89.0, Housing (rents) 71.4, Goods 95.7, Utilities 73.7, Other services 91.2
| Area | All items |
|---|---|
| North Dakota (whole state) | 89.0 |
| Metropolitan areas of North Dakota | 90.1 |
| Nonmetropolitan areas of North Dakota | 87.3 |
Cities in North Dakota
Select a column heading to sort.
| Fargo | 131,627 | 90.1 | $2,322 | $4,927 | $946 | $281,900 |
| Bismarck | 75,556 | 91.2 | $2,269 | $4,935 | $999 | $300,300 |
| Grand Forks | 59,042 | 87.3 | $2,289 | $4,854 | $980 | $249,900 |
| Mandan | 24,522 | 92.5 | $2,380 | $4,739 | $1,083 | $259,800 |
Metro areas in North Dakota
| Metro area | All items | Housing |
|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, ND | 91.0 | 84.0 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | 90.9 | 81.1 |
| Minot, ND | 87.0 | 63.2 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | 86.7 | 59.7 |
BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for metropolitan statistical areas that include part of North Dakota.
Modelled monthly budget at North Dakota average prices
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for North Dakota (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $710 | $8,520 | 32% |
| Utilities | $208 | $2,496 | 9% |
| Food at home | $270 | $3,240 | 12% |
| Transportation | $574 | $6,888 | 26% |
| Health care | $320 | $3,840 | 14% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $158 | $1,896 | 7% |
| Total | $2,240 | $26,880 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for North Dakota (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $856 | $10,272 | 23% |
| Utilities | $329 | $3,948 | 9% |
| Food at home | $498 | $5,976 | 13% |
| Transportation | $1,135 | $13,620 | 30% |
| Health care | $594 | $7,128 | 16% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $311 | $3,732 | 8% |
| Total | $3,723 | $44,676 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for North Dakota (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,176 | $14,112 | 25% |
| Utilities | $400 | $4,800 | 8% |
| Food at home | $711 | $8,532 | 15% |
| Transportation | $1,512 | $18,144 | 32% |
| Health care | $553 | $6,636 | 12% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $402 | $4,824 | 8% |
| Total | $4,754 | $57,048 | 100% |
state figures Rents are Census ACS state medians by bedrooms. See the methodology.
Electricity and gas and inflation
Residential electricity
13.31¢/kWh, August 2026
12-month change +2.6% · US 18.16¢
Regular gasoline regional figure: Midwest (PADD 2)
$4.10/gal, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change +45.0% · US $4.15
Consumer prices in the Midwest region rose +4.2% over the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%; BLS CPI-U).
Price level history
| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 93.2 | 91.8 | 91.0 | 88.7 | 88.2 | 89.0 |
Change over the period: −4.2 points. Each year is measured relative to that year's US average.
Frequently asked questions
Is North Dakota an expensive state to live in?
North Dakota has a cost of living index of 89.0 (US = 100), 11.0% below the US average. It ranks 44th of 51 (1 = most expensive). Housing is 71.4 (rank 39), goods 95.7, utilities 73.7 and other services 91.2. Source: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024.
How much does it cost to live in North Dakota?
At North Dakota state-average prices, our modelled monthly budget is $2,240 for a single adult, $3,723 for a couple and $4,754 for a family of four, before taxes and child care. Costs vary widely within the state: metro areas average 90.1 and nonmetro areas 87.3.
What is the median rent and home value in North Dakota?
The median gross rent in North Dakota is $954 a month and the median home value is $249,900 (Census ACS 2020-2024). The typical renter spends 25.0% of income on rent.
Sources
- BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 (state, state metro and nonmetro portions, MSAs).
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, state 38.
- EIA-861M residential electricity (August 2026); EIA weekly retail gasoline (Midwest (PADD 2), 2026-11-02).
- BLS CPI-U, Midwest region (September 2026).
Budgets are modelled estimates, not observed spending. Not financial advice. Methodology