Living in North Dakota: Income, Housing, Taxes & Cost of Living (2026)
By Wealthvieu
·
Updated
Table of Contents
North Dakota at a Glance
| Metric |
Value |
National Rank |
| Population (2024) |
780,000 |
47th |
| Median household income |
$73,959 |
Above average |
| Median home price |
$260,000 |
Below average |
| Cost of living index |
90 |
Below average |
| State income tax |
Effectively none (eliminated for most filers 2025) |
N/A |
| Sales tax |
5% (+ local up to 3.5%) |
Average |
| Property tax (effective rate) |
0.94% |
Average |
Income and Housing
| City/Area |
Median Income |
Median Home Price |
Median Rent (2BR) |
| Fargo |
$65,000 |
$290,000 |
$1,100 |
| Bismarck |
$72,000 |
$280,000 |
$1,050 |
| Grand Forks |
$55,000 |
$240,000 |
$950 |
| Minot |
$68,000 |
$260,000 |
$1,000 |
| Williston (oil region) |
$78,000 |
$290,000 |
$1,100 |
| Dickinson |
$70,000 |
$270,000 |
$1,000 |
Oil Country Income Volatility
Western ND (Williston Basin/Bakken) incomes are highly tied to oil prices:
| Oil Price |
Average Oilfield Income |
Housing Demand |
| $80+ per barrel |
$90,000-$120,000 |
High (housing shortage) |
| $50-$80 per barrel |
$70,000-$90,000 |
Moderate |
| Below $50 per barrel |
Layoffs common |
Low (vacancies rise) |
North Dakota Pros and Cons
| Financial Pros |
Financial Cons |
| Effectively no income tax (as of 2025) |
Extreme cold (-20°F to -40°F winters) |
| Below-average COL (90) |
Very small population, limited amenities |
| Low unemployment |
Oil-dependent economy (western ND) |
| Affordable housing |
High heating costs ($3K-$5K/year) |
| Strong energy-sector wages |
Remote location, limited flights |
Related: Cost of Living by State | States with No Income Tax | Property Tax by State
