The Lowest Cost of Living Counties in North Dakota

STACKER — While inflation has fallen from its 2022 peaks, high prices are still eating into household budgets. Many Americans are paying close attention to their finances and finding ways to cut spending.

Housing, rent and food inflation, as well as higher gasoline prices in recent years, mean that every dollar earned has even less purchasing power than before. In the first two months of 2024, Americans were able to save about 3.9% of their disposable income, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, far below historical levels.

Stacker compiled a list of counties with the lowest cost of living in North Dakota, based on rankings from Niche.

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#24. McKenzie County, North Dakota

– Overall rank: 2,070
– Population: 14,081
– Median household income: $83,813
– Average home value: $330,200 (56% owner-occupied)
– Median rent: $1,192 (44% rent)

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#23. Grand Forks County, North Dakota

– Overall rank: 1,999
– Population: 72,927
– Median household income: $64,698
– Average home value: $235,400 (51% owner-occupied)
– Median rent: $941 (49% rent)

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#22. Cass County, North Dakota

– Overall rank: 1,986
– Population: 186,328
– Median household income: $73,249
– Average home value: $270,300 (52% owner-occupied)
– Median rent: $909 (48% rent)

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#21. Burleigh County, North Dakota

– Overall rank: 1,933
– Population: 98,443
– Median household income: $82,141
– Average home value: $302,300 (71% owner-occupied)
– Median rent: $975 (29% rent)

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#20. Ward County, North Dakota

– Overall rank: 1,886
– Population: 69,532
– Median household income: $78,143
– Average home value: $249,800 (61% owner-occupied)
– Average rent: $1,005 (39% rent)

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#19. Stark County, North Dakota

– Overall rank: 1,791
– Population: 32,989
– Median household income: $78,734
– Average home value: $255,200 (64% owner-occupied)
– Median rent: $988 (36% rent)

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#18. Morton County, North Dakota

– Overall rank: 1,777
– Population: 33,192
– Median household income: $79,555
– Average home value: $247,200 (73% owner-occupied)
– Median rent: $973 (27% rent)

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#17. Williams County, North Dakota

– Overall ranking: 1,734
– Population: 39,076
– Median household income: $86,139
– Average home value: $255,000 (54% owner-occupied)
– Average rent: $1,097 (46% rent)

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#16. Stutsman County, North Dakota

– Overall rank: 1,443
– Population: 21,609
– Median household income: $59,167
– Average home value: $191,000 (65% owner-occupied)
– Median rent: $746 (35% rent)

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#15. Mercer County, North Dakota

– Overall rank: 1,356
– Population: 8,366
– Median household income: $82,155
– Average home value: $192,000 (84% owner-occupied)
– Median rent: $1,039 (16% rent)

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#14. Dickey County, North Dakota

– Overall rank: 1,111
– Population: 5,003
– Median household income: $60,250
– Average home value: $164,700 (78% owner-occupied)
– Median rent: $759 (22% rent)

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#13. Ramsey County, North Dakota

– Overall ranking: 1,021
– Population: 11,613
– Median household income: $61,490
– Average home value: $193,300 (62% owner-occupied)
– Median rent: $663 (38% rent)

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#12. Barnes County, North Dakota

– Overall rank: 947
– Population: 10,826
– Median household income: $64,447
– Average home value: $157,800 (74% owner-occupied)
– Median rent: $773 (26% rent)

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#11. McLean County, North Dakota

– Overall rank: 930
– Population: 9,781
– Median household income: $80,556
– Average home value: $222,100 (83% owner-occupied)
– Median rent: $766 (17% rent)

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#10. Richland County, North Dakota

– Overall rank: 868
– Population: 16,548
– Median household income: $67,089
– Average home value: $164,500 (69% owner-occupied)
– Median rent: $725 (31% rent)

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#9. Ransom County, North Dakota

– Overall rank: 865
– Population: 5,663
– Median household income: $71,462
– Average home value: $145,900 (74% owner-occupied)
– Median rent: $840 (26% rent)

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#8. Mountrail County, North Dakota

– Overall rank: 833
– Population: 9,648
– Median household income: $81,886
– Average home value: $205,000 (61% owner-occupied)
– Median rent: $929 (39% rent)

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#7. Traill County, North Dakota

– Overall rank: 597
– Population: 8,004
– Median household income: $81,157
– Average home value: $172,700 (73% owner-occupied)
– Median rent: $709 (27% rent)

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#6. Bottineau County, North Dakota

– Overall ranking: 369
– Population: 6,411
– Median household income: $80,113
– Average home value: $188,500 (81% owner-occupied)
– Median rent: $670 (19% rent)

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#5. McHenry County, North Dakota

– Overall ranking: 164
– Population: 5,326
– Median household income: $78,071
– Average home value: $136,600 (82% owner-occupied)
– Median rent: $753 (18% rent)

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#4. Walsh County, North Dakota

– Overall ranking: 156
– Population: 10,553
– Median household income: $68,082
– Average home value: $111,700 (78% owner-occupied)
– Median rent: $695 (22% rent)

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#3. Pembina County, North Dakota

– Overall ranking: 137
– Population: 6,853
– Median household income: $64,243
– Average home value: $112,700 (74% owner-occupied)
– Median rent: $658 (26% rent)

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#2. Rolette County, North Dakota

– Overall ranking: 17
– Population: 12,292
– Median household income: $53,806
– Average home value: $90,200 (66% owner-occupied)
– Median rent: $482 (34% rent)

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#1. Benson County, North Dakota

– Overall ranking: 7
– Population: 5,960
– Median household income: $63,220
– Average home value: $79,300 (72% owner-occupied)
– Median rent: $563 (28% rent)

This article originally appeared on Stacker and was produced and distributed through a partnership with Stacker Studio. It is republished under a CC by NC 4.0 license.