With its vast and serene landscapes like the scenic beauty of the Badlands, the expansive prairies, and the picturesque lakes, living in North Dakota offers a one of a kind experience. The state’s peaceful surroundings, wide-open spaces, and preserved natural areas are just some of the many reasons to love North Dakota.
If North Dakota sounds like the state for you, then you may also be curious what cities fit into your budget. For example, the median list price in North Dakota is $321,975 as of February.
If that number is out of your budget, don’t worry, we’ve got options to help you find a home. Redfin has rounded up a list of the 8 of the most affordable places to live in North Dakota – and they all have a median list price under the state’s average. From Devils Lake to Valley City, read on to see what cities you may want to consider moving to.
#1: Devils Lake
Median home price: $180,000
Average sale price per square foot: $71
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $565
Median household income: $41,203
Devils Lake, ND homes for sale
Devils Lake, ND apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $180,000, Devils Lake is the most affordable place to live in North Dakota. About 7,200 people live in this city. Living in Devils Lake, you can check out the charming downtown area, and visit one of the parks like Ruger Park and Roosevelt Park.
#2: Jamestown
Median home price: $194,900
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $790
Median household income: $53,389
Jamestown, ND homes for sale
Jamestown, ND apartments for rent
Coming in as the second best affordable city to live in North Dakota is Jamestown. When living in this city of 15,700 people, you can see the World’s Largest Buffalo, and visit the downtown Jamestown area with museums, cafes, and historic buildings.
#3: Valley City
Median home price: $232,450
Average sale price per square foot: $49
Median household income: $52,224
Valley City, ND homes for sale
Valley City, ND apartments for rent
Third is Valley City where about 6,600 residents currently live. The median home sale price is $232,450 which is about $90K less than the median home sale price in North Dakota. If you find yourself moving to the third most affordable city, make sure to visit the picturesque Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway and Chautauqua Park or explore downtown Valley City.
#4: Minot
Median home price: $240,000
Average sale price per square foot: $112
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $942
Median household income: $53,389
Minot, ND homes for sale
Minot, ND apartments for rent
A little more expensive than Valley City is Minot, the next city on our list. With roughly 47,700 residents in Minot, make sure to visit Roosevelt Park and Zoo, check out the Scandinavian Heritage Association, and explore downtown Minot where you’ll find plenty of local shops, cafes, and historic buildings.
#5: Dickinson
Median home price: $279,000
Average sale price per square foot: $128
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $850
Median household income: $53,389
Dickinson, ND homes for sale
Dickinson, ND apartments for rent
Another great area to add to your list is Dickinson. Home to 24,900 residents, this affordable town can be a great option to add to your list. In Dickinson, you can explore downtown Dickinson and visit the Dickinson Museum Center & Badlands Dinosaur Museum.
#6: Wahpeton
Median home price: $296,150
Average sale price per square foot: $107
Median household income: $51,417
Wahpeton, ND homes for sale
Wahpeton, ND apartments for rent
A recognizable city is Wahpeton, where the median home sale price is about $25K less than the state’s average. Wahpeton has about 8,000 residents and is a great city to consider buying a home this year. There are lots of activities to do in this city – you can see the World’s Largest Catfish, check out the Chahinkapa Park, and visit the downtown area, among many other local favorites.
#7: Grand Forks
Median home price: $352,000
Average sale price per square foot: $126
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $917
Median household income: $59,079
Grand Forks, ND homes for sale
Grand Forks, ND apartments for rent
Next on our list of affordable places to live in North Dakota is Grand Forks. With a population of about 58,700, living in Grand Forks is a great option for those looking for a mid-sized city to live in. If you find yourself moving to this city make sure to explore the University of North Dakota campus, check out the exhibits at North Dakota Museum of Art, and visit one of the parks in town.
#8: Mandan
Median home price: $375,200
Average sale price per square foot: $117
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $975
Median household income: $78,077
Mandan, ND homes for sale
Mandan, ND apartments for rent
Last but not least on our list of most affordable places to live in North Dakota is Mandan. This affordable city is home to roughly 24,500 residents. Be sure to explore Sunset Park, check out the downtown Mandan area, and visit the Missouri River State Natural Area. once you move to Mandan.
Methodology: All cities must have over 5,000 residents per the US Census and have a median home sale price under the average median list price in North Dakota. Median home sale price and median sale price per square foot from the Redfin Data Center during February 2024. Average rental data from Rent.com February 2024. Population and median household income data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
This post first appeared on Redfin.com. To see the original, click here.