Best Affordable Places to Live in North Dakota in 2025

Grafton is arguably one of the best places to live in North Dakota from a cost perspective. There’s always something fun to do here year-round, whether it’s ice skating at the local rinks in winter or hiking the scenic trails of Icelandic State Park in the spring and summer. The low price-to-income ratio could be considered the sweet spot for people who are looking to buy on a budget.

Photo credit: Flickr/Jasperdo, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic

Jamestown sits approximately halfway between Fargo and Bismarck, both of which are roughly a 90-minute drive in either direction. One of the things Jamestown is notable for, aside from being one of the most affordable cities in North Dakota, is its love of the buffalo. Here, you’ll find both the National Buffalo Museum and the World’s Largest Buffalo.

Photo credit: iStock/Christopher Cagney

Valley City is about an hour’s drive from Fargo, which could make it appealing for people who don’t mind a longer commute. The cost of living is much less than the national average, and while the city is small, it doesn’t lack any of the basic amenities you’d expect to find. There are more than 30 parks in the city, including Medicine Wheel Park, which could be perfect if you like enjoying the fresh air.

Photo credit: iStock/Aziz Shamuratov

West Fargo is a suburb of Fargo and quite a few families live here, along with young professionals and retirees. Some of the best things about raising kids here include convenient access to education and the many different options you have for dining, shopping, and recreation. The Red River Zoo and Bonanzaville (a museum and village on the outskirts of West Fargo) are just two of the top attractions you might want to explore in the Fargo area.

Photo credit: Flickr/Andrew Filer , Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic

Ellendale is about two-and-a-half hours by car from the state capital, Bismarck, and it could be suited to families who are interested in smaller-town living. Given its size, there aren’t quite as many amenities here as there are in other North Dakota cities on this list. But you might not mind if you’re looking for a quieter place to call home.

Photo credit: Flickr/Andrew Filer , Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic

Horace is a smaller suburb of Fargo, and it’s only a 20-minute drive into the city, which could make it a good choice for planning a day trip with the kids or commuting to work. You’ll pay a little more to rent a home here, but overall the cost of living is still below the national average. Families appreciate the quality of the local school system and the close-knit feel.

Photo credit: iStock/DenisTangneyJr

Fargo is the largest city in the Peace Garden State, and it’s a magnet for job-seekers as well as young adults who are interested in getting an education at North Dakota State University. The population has a median age of around 31, and most residents are single, childless, and hold at least one college degree. When you’re looking for something to do, you’ve got your choice of parks, local cafes and restaurants, shopping, and historical sites. You might assume renting or buying in Fargo would be expensive because it is one of the state’s larger cities, but that isn’t the case.

Westgate is a neighborhood in Fargo where you’ll find plenty of younger professionals. The median age is 33 years old, and there are a significant number of childless singles, with a fairly even split between men and women. Nearly half of the population is college-educated, and most people work for private companies in white-collar jobs. On average, homeowners pay more for property taxes here, but you won’t need a jumbo mortgage loan to buy a property.

Osgood is one of Fargo’s newest suburban neighborhoods, with a small but rapidly growing population. The area is mostly populated by younger professionals, many of whom work for private companies and earn a higher median household income. In terms of housing, there’s a fairly even split between renters and homeowners here. North Dakota offers a first-time homebuyer program, which is a great incentive to consider owning a property versus renting one.

Photo credit: iStock/jasony00

Minot is a larger city of almost 50,000 residents, and it has some great things to offer retirees. For example, if you’re interested in going back to school, you might enroll in classes at Minot State University. Or if you want to get out and see the sights, you can visit one of the many museums or cultural attractions in the area. And there are plenty of doctors to choose from when you need routine or specialty care.

Photo credit: iStock/DenisTangneyJr

Grand Forks lies about an hour north of Fargo, and it’s just next door to Grand Forks Air Force Base. The city has a relaxed feel, and even though it’s a larger metro area, there are plenty of spaces to enjoy the outdoors and breathe the fresh air. The University of North Dakota is located here if you’re interested in going to school in retirement, and there are a number of doctors in the area specializing in geriatric medicine.

Photo credit: iStock/powerofforever

Bismarck sits adjacent to the Missouri River, and it’s one of North Dakota’s largest cities by population. The median age of residents is a bit younger, but there are plenty of retirees living in the city and its surrounding suburbs. Bismarck is known for its excellent health care system, which might be a mark in its favor for retirees with chronic or serious medical issues. There’s no shortage of things to do and see either. The local housing market shows a median list price in early 2025 of around $418,000.

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons/
Andrew Filer , Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic

Williston is tucked away in the northwest corner of the state, not far from the Montana border. The area is suited for lots of outdoor activities, including bird watching, fishing, and even hunting if you’re so inclined. If you’re interested in getting on the water, you can go kayaking, paddleboarding, or canoeing at Lewis & Clark State Park.

Photo credit: iStock/Cavan Images

Dickinson is next door to Theodore Roosevelt State Park and the Dakota Prairie Grasslands, where you’ll find some of the most impressive views around. There are trails for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking, along with opportunities for fishing, hunting, and canoeing. If you’re interested in whitewater rafting and don’t mind a drive, you can do that in nearby Bismarck.

Walhalla lies along the Canadian border, and it’s the northernmost city to be featured on our list. One of the major attractions in the area is the Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area, which is a top destination for hiking, ATV riding, kayaking, and horseback riding. In winter, you can head to Frost Fire Park for skiing and snowboarding. A home affordability calculator can give you a better idea of what you can realistically spend if you’re hoping to buy.