ND · Housing affordability · 2024

North DakotaHousing Affordability by County

North Dakota renters have more financial breathing room than anywhere else in the US

Only 36% of North Dakota renters spend too much on housing — the lowest rate in America. Strong wages from the energy sector have kept pace with rents in a way that most states can only envy.

Good value Population: 784,841

Housing costs here are below the national average — a relatively good-value market.

Years of income to buy a home

3.3×

▼ 21% vs US average

Typical home price

$249,900

▼ 28% vs US average

Typical monthly rent

$954

▼ 27% vs US average

Renters paying too much for rent

36.3%

▼ 19% vs US average

Homeowners stretched thin

10.8%

▼ 33% vs US average

Typical household income

$76,657

▼ 5% vs US average

How to read the bars: the coloured bar is ND's value; the grey tick is the US average. "Paying too much" means spending more than 30% of income on housing — the standard economic threshold for cost burden.

What the data shows

Buying a home in North Dakota is still well within reach for most families. The typical home costs $249,900 — about 3.3× of the typical household income of $76,657 a year. That's one of the better ratios in the country. A family putting aside their entire income, with no other expenses, could cover the purchase price in around 3.3 years.

Renters face moderate pressure. The typical rent in North Dakota is $954 a month, and 36% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing — the point at which most financial advisers say rent becomes unaffordable. That figure is 19% lower than the national average of 45%.

10.8% of North Dakota homeowners with a mortgage spend more than 30% of their income on housing — much lower than the national average of 16.1%.

How North Dakota ranks nationally

Rank 1 = most expensive / highest burden. Compared against all 50 states and DC (51 in total).

Years to buy a home

37th

of 51 states

Typical home price

36th

of 51 states

Typical monthly rent

48th

of 51 states

Renters paying too much

51st

of 51 states

Common questions

Is North Dakota affordable to live in? +

Yes — North Dakota is one of the more affordable states in the US. The typical home costs $249,900, which is 3.3× of the typical household income. That puts it well below the national average.

What is the average rent in North Dakota? +

The typical monthly rent in North Dakota is $954, according to the 2024 American Community Survey. About 36% of ND renters spend more than 30% of their income on rent.

How much do you need to earn to buy a home in North Dakota? +

As a rough guide, you'd need a household income of around $62,000 a year to comfortably afford the typical North Dakota home of $249,900, assuming a 20% down payment and standard mortgage terms. The typical North Dakota household earns $76,657 a year.

Explore North Dakota county by county on the map

The state average is only part of the story. Drill into individual counties and census tracts to see where affordability varies most across North Dakota.

Open ND on the map

Other states in the same tier — Good value