Cost of living in North Dakota
Statewide averages from BEA, with every metro area in the state compared.
What the numbers say
- Overall prices in North Dakota are 11.0% below the national average, the 44th most expensive of 51 states and DC (BEA 2024).
- Utilities stand out in North Dakota: household electricity, gas, water and sewer prices are 26.3% below the US average.
- Compared with the rest of the country, North Dakota has become less expensive since 2019: the index went from 93.2 to 89.0, and its rank from 33rd to 44th most expensive. Housing in North Dakota moved most, from 77.0 to 71.4.
- After adjusting for local prices, personal income per person is $65,271 in 2017 dollars, 7th of 51 (BEA 2024).
- Within North Dakota, metro price levels run from 86.7 in Grand Forks, ND to 91.0 in Bismarck, ND (US = 100).
- In North Dakota, housing (28.6% below average) and everyday costs (goods 4.3% below average, other services 8.8% below average) are both below the US level, so the gap is broad rather than just rent.
Written from this page's own figures. Price levels are for an average household basket and do not include taxes. How we calculate.
Where the money goes
Statewide price levels by category. Cities and rural areas within the state can differ a lot; see the metro table below.
In North Dakota, housing is the category furthest from the US average: 28.6% below
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
Bars to the right of the line cost more than the US average; to the left, less.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| North Dakota | |
|---|---|
| All items | 89.0 |
| Goods | 95.7 |
| Housing (rents) | 71.4 |
| Utilities | 73.7 |
| Other services | 91.2 |
Gas prices
Regular gasoline averaged $4.14 a gallon in the Midwest region in the week of October 19, 2026, $0.14 less than the US average of $4.28. EIA does not publish a separate weekly figure for North Dakota, so this is the regional average. official
Work out your commute's gas cost
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, weekly retail gasoline prices, regular grade, including taxes.
Cheapest places to live in North Dakota
By overall prices, the cheapest of the 4 metro areas BEA measures in North Dakota are Grand Forks, ND (86.7), Minot, ND (87.0) and Fargo, ND (90.9); the most expensive is Bismarck, ND (91.0). US average = 100, BEA 2024. Rural areas are not listed separately.
Grand Forks, ND is the cheapest metro area in North Dakota (86.7); Bismarck, ND the most expensive (91.0)
Overall price level, 2024. US average = 100.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| All items | |
|---|---|
| Grand Forks, ND | 86.7 |
| Minot, ND | 87.0 |
| Fargo, ND | 90.9 |
| Bismarck, ND | 91.0 |
| Metro area | Overall | Housing | Goods | Utilities | Other services | Typical rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks, ND | 86.7 | 59.7 | 95.6 | 77.1 | 91.4 | $1,132 |
| Minot, ND | 87.0 | 63.2 | 95.7 | 72.9 | 91.2 | $1,252 |
| Fargo, ND | 90.9 | 81.1 | 95.7 | 77.3 | 91.3 | $1,103 |
| Bismarck, ND | 91.0 | 84.0 | 95.7 | 75.0 | 91.2 | $1,303 |
Price levels: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How prices have changed since 2008
Price levels relative to the whole country in each year, not inflation.
North Dakota has become more expensive relative to the US since 2008: 85.9 then, 89.0 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| North Dakota | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 85.9 |
| 2009 | 87.9 |
| 2010 | 89.1 |
| 2011 | 89.5 |
| 2012 | 92.0 |
| 2013 | 92.2 |
| 2014 | 92.5 |
| 2015 | 91.1 |
| 2016 | 91.6 |
| 2017 | 88.7 |
| 2018 | 91.2 |
| 2019 | 93.2 |
| 2020 | 91.8 |
| 2021 | 91.0 |
| 2022 | 88.7 |
| 2023 | 88.2 |
| 2024 | 89.0 |
Goods: 85.0 in 2008, 95.7 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| North Dakota | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 85.0 |
| 2009 | 90.0 |
| 2010 | 94.9 |
| 2011 | 94.9 |
| 2012 | 95.7 |
| 2013 | 95.6 |
| 2014 | 97.4 |
| 2015 | 97.3 |
| 2016 | 96.0 |
| 2017 | 94.7 |
| 2018 | 94.0 |
| 2019 | 96.6 |
| 2020 | 96.4 |
| 2021 | 94.2 |
| 2022 | 94.1 |
| 2023 | 97.0 |
| 2024 | 95.7 |
Housing (rents): 63.2 in 2008, 71.4 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| North Dakota | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 63.2 |
| 2009 | 64.4 |
| 2010 | 61.9 |
| 2011 | 69.1 |
| 2012 | 76.8 |
| 2013 | 80.1 |
| 2014 | 78.4 |
| 2015 | 78.1 |
| 2016 | 86.1 |
| 2017 | 71.5 |
| 2018 | 72.1 |
| 2019 | 77.0 |
| 2020 | 72.1 |
| 2021 | 70.8 |
| 2022 | 65.8 |
| 2023 | 69.3 |
| 2024 | 71.4 |
Utilities: 73.1 in 2008, 73.7 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| North Dakota | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 73.1 |
| 2009 | 71.8 |
| 2010 | 75.5 |
| 2011 | 73.3 |
| 2012 | 74.3 |
| 2013 | 74.9 |
| 2014 | 73.3 |
| 2015 | 74.1 |
| 2016 | 74.9 |
| 2017 | 77.2 |
| 2018 | 84.6 |
| 2019 | 84.7 |
| 2020 | 85.6 |
| 2021 | 88.0 |
| 2022 | 83.0 |
| 2023 | 75.0 |
| 2024 | 73.7 |
Other services: 96.3 in 2008, 91.2 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| North Dakota | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 96.3 |
| 2009 | 96.1 |
| 2010 | 95.4 |
| 2011 | 93.7 |
| 2012 | 95.5 |
| 2013 | 94.7 |
| 2014 | 94.7 |
| 2015 | 92.1 |
| 2016 | 91.5 |
| 2017 | 91.1 |
| 2018 | 95.8 |
| 2019 | 96.5 |
| 2020 | 96.3 |
| 2021 | 95.1 |
| 2022 | 92.5 |
| 2023 | 89.6 |
| 2024 | 91.2 |
What incomes buy here
BEA divides personal income by local prices, so a dollar in a cheap state counts for more. This is income per resident (wages, benefits, investment income), not household or take-home pay.
After adjusting for prices, income per person in North Dakota is $65,271, 7th of 51
Real personal income per person, constant 2017 dollars (adjusted for local price levels and inflation).
- North Dakota
- United States
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, real personal income by state (SARPI), 2008–2024.
Show the numbers
| North Dakota | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | $53,542 | $45,816 |
| 2009 | $51,506 | $44,204 |
| 2010 | $54,744 | $44,808 |
| 2011 | $58,891 | $45,957 |
| 2012 | $64,541 | $46,796 |
| 2013 | $61,592 | $46,358 |
| 2014 | $63,171 | $47,661 |
| 2015 | $59,886 | $49,396 |
| 2016 | $57,110 | $49,828 |
| 2017 | $58,594 | $51,006 |
| 2018 | $59,425 | $52,242 |
| 2019 | $58,846 | $53,683 |
| 2020 | $63,073 | $56,514 |
| 2021 | $66,878 | $59,365 |
| 2022 | $69,036 | $57,104 |
| 2023 | $67,383 | $58,088 |
| 2024 | $65,271 | $59,195 |
Compare North Dakota with other states
States with similar prices
- Nebraska 90.1
- South Dakota 88.6
- Missouri 90.8
- Tennessee 91.9
- New Mexico 92.2
Sources and limits
- Price levels and real income: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), Regional Price Parities and real personal income by state, 2008–2024. Last updated February 19, 2026: new statistics for 2024; revised statistics for 2008-2023. Downloaded 2026-10-21.
- Metro price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities by metro area. Typical rent: Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- State figures average cities and rural areas. Taxes are not included. BEA figures lag by about 18 months.