doxoINSIGHTS » Cost of Living in North Dakota: Cities Where Household Expenses are Highest and Lowest in 2024

Cost of Living in North Dakota: Cities Where Household Expenses are Highest and Lowest in 2024

North Dakota skyline

What is the cost of living in North Dakota? doxo breaks down key insights about North Dakota’s household expenses, with a close look into how bills differ between towns and cities across the state. 

According to doxo’s The Cost of Bills Index™ (COBI), the average household in North Dakota pays $1,973 in monthly expenses. doxoINSIGHTS compares the cost of the ten most common household bills across different regions. This includes Utilities, Cable & Phone, Mobile Phone, Auto Loans, Auto Insurance, Life Insurance, Health Insurance, Alarm & Security, Rent, and Mortgage.

The data sheds light on North Dakota’s cost of living through other metrics as well. For example, the “percent of household income” data point shows what percentage of their household income residents spend on bills each month. 

By leveraging these tools, residents can gain a clearer understanding of their household expenses and optimize their financial planning.

North Dakota ranks as the 33rd most expensive state in the US for household bills

According to doxo’s COBI report, North Dakota is ranked as the 33rd most expensive state in the U.S. for household bills, making it the least expensive state for these expenses. 

At $23,673 per year, North Dakota’s household expenses, on average, are 7% lower than the US average of $25,513. 

Absolute dollar amounts don’t tell the full story, however. doxo’s “Percentage of Household Income” data provides a more proportional look at bill spending in a particular location. North Dakota households spend 32% of their income on bills. 

COBI helps consumers understand how much it costs to live in one area as compared to another as it relates to the most common household bills. For COBI, the number 100 represents the national average and then, states, counties and cities are assigned a number, either above or below 100, based on how they compare to the national average. The COBI for North Dakota is 93.

  • Average Bill Cost per Household: $1,973 per month
  • Cost of Bills Index(COBI): 93
  • doxoINSIGHTS State Rank: #33
  • Percent of Household Income Used for Bills: 32%
  • Compared to the National Average: 7% lower

North Dakota Household Expenses are 7% Lower Than the National Average

The average North Dakota household pays $1,973 per month in the 10 most common household bills. The least expensive of these are alarm and security bills. 

On the lowest end of the spectrum, the average monthly payment for alarm and security bills in North Dakota is $85, compared to the national average of $85, making it the same as the average.

Monthly mortgage bills are the most significant of the 10 most common bills for North Dakota residents. The average monthly mortgage payment is $1,471, compared to the national average of $1,402, making it 5% more expensive. 

Average North Dakota Household Bill Spending

Bill CategoryAverage North Dakota Monthly BillNational Average Monthly BillNorth Dakota Percent +/- National Average 
Mortgage$1,471$1,4025% higher
Rent$917$1,30029% lower
Auto Loan$595$49620% higher
Utilities$287$36221% lower
Auto Insurance$201$2094% lower
Health Insurance$208$11482% higher
Mobile Phone$91$12125% lower
Cable & Internet$111$1229% lower
Life Insurance$113$8730% higher
Alarm & Security$85$85The same
Total$1,973$2,1267% lower
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).

Williston Has the Highest Cost of Living in North Dakota for Household Bills

Residents of Williston pay the highest household bills in the state of North Dakota, at an average of $2,589 per month. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Williston is 122, meaning the average cost of bills in this city is 22% higher than the national average.

In proportion to household income, monthly bills in Williston makeup 36% of the average annual household income of $85,913. 

Access detailed infographics about each city or town by clicking on the hyperlinks in the “City” column in the tables below. You can also browse doxoINSIGHTS’ regional bill comparison database to see infographics about more than 4,200 cities and towns across all 50 states in the US.

10 Most Expensive North Dakota Cities for Household Bills

RankCityAverage IncomeMonthly Bill Expenses Per HouseholdCost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard% +/- Than the National AveragePercent of Household Income Used for Bills 
1Williston$85,913$2,58912222% higher36%
2Watford City$82,426$2,3171099% higher34%
3Bismarck$83,633$2,2851077% higher33%
4Mandan$83,542$2,1781022% higher31%
5Minot$77,116$2,070973% lower32%
6Dickinson$78,864$2,022955% lower31%
7Grand Forks$62,042$2,019955% lower39%
8West Fargo$97,231$1,8568713% lower23%
9Fargo$66,599$1,8298614% lower33%
10Devils Lake$58,272$1,7408218% lower36%
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).

Jamestown Has the Lowest Cost of Living in North Dakota for Household Bills

Out of 11 cities, Jamestown is the most affordable place in North Dakota, with residents paying $1,674 on average for household bills, accounting for 35% of annual income of $57,271. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Jamestown is 79, meaning the average cost of bills in this city is 21% below the national average. 

Some individuals might be considering moving from a more expensive city to a less expensive one. For those making such decisions, doxoINSIGHTS can be a valuable resource. It allows consumers to compare household expenses in North Dakota with average bills in various cities and states nationwide.