The rugged natural beauty and affordable cost of living are just a few reasons you might be drawn to North Dakota. But the state has its share of problems, too. High violent crime rates and a lack of amenities prove that this midwestern state isn’t perfect.
Before you commit to renting or buying a house in North Dakota, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons. For outdoor lovers, the Flickertail state (or the Peace Garden State as it’s sometimes called) offers wide open spaces and plenty of opportunities for stargazing. With its low population, the state is also perfect for introverts. However, if you’re not a fan of freezing winters or extreme weather events, North Dakota might not be for you.
Pro: low cost of living
Let’s start with one of the biggest attractions. North Dakota’s cost of living is about 2% lower than the national average. The cost of living index puts the national average at 100, so if you live in a location that’s rated higher than this, you’ll pay a higher cost of living, and if you live somewhere rated below 100, you’ll pay less than the national average. North Dakota’s cost of living index is 97.4.
Here’s how that breaks down: housing is 6% lower, utilities are 5% lower, and groceries are 3% lower than the US average. These might not seem very impressive, but the savings add up!
The median household income in North Dakota is $65,315 per year. With such a low cost of living, your money is sure to go far—especially considering that the average home price in fall 2022 was $286,000, and the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment was less than $1,000.
Do you own a car? Expect to pay less for both driving and insuring your car in North Dakota
. Gas is usually at least $0.20 per gallon cheaper than in other states. Car insurance is also less expensive, especially if you only carry the state’s minimum liability coverage
. That said, keep in mind that you might pay more for maintenance since you’ll most likely drive more. After all, there’s a lot of wide open space between towns! MORE: The 7 best places to live in North Dakota
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Con: sparsely populated
If you love bustling city life, you might feel out of place in North Dakota. The state comes in at #4 on the list of least-populated states in the U.S. (losing out only to Wyoming, Vermont, and Alaska). While the population grew by 106,000 between the last two censuses, the total population is still only at 775,000. You read that right!
Having a low population certainly means a lot of space (and lots of parking!), but you won’t have access to the variety and amenities that big cities offer. It also means that North Dakota doesn’t get much tourist money, because there aren’t as many attractions drawing visitors to the state.
While a low population has its benefits, there are some problems, too. Communities don’t have as much funding, fewer homes are typically built, and there’s not as much money for the arts, sports, community centers, etc. Plus, it means more travel time to get to the resources you need. Fancy driving to Fargo whenever you need to go to the eye doctor?
MORE: The eight best Grand Forks radio stations
Pro: low unemployment rates
North Dakota has the job stability you might be looking for. The state tied for the second-lowest unemployment rate in the nation (along with Minnesota). Only 2.3% of North Dakotans were unemployed as of November 2022!
If you’ve had a hard time finding a job in your state, you might have luck, especially if you lack experience or don’t have higher education. Low unemployment can also mean that you have more wiggle room when you negotiate your wage. Employers have to compete to hire and keep workers, which is a win for you!
Con: limited employment options
The flip side of low employment is that you don’t have as many choices when it comes to finding a job. Most North Dakotans work in agriculture or oil rigging—tough work! If you’re not in these industries, be prepared to search for a job in your field.
Another problem with low employment affects all North Dakotans, even those with jobs. Businesses might have difficulty hiring people (or keeping them), so they operate understaffed. This can translate to poor service or the inability to meet customer demands.
When businesses really struggle, they may even go under. In a state like North Dakota that already offers few amenities, this can be a huge problem!
Pro: tons of parks to explore
Nature lovers rejoice! North Dakota is home to three national parks and 13 state parks. Visitors come from around the world to take in Badlands National Park
, filled with dramatic rock formations, canyons, and fossils. Make a plan to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park
in Medora and Watford City, which offers something for everyone—camping, hiking, kayaking, biking, fishing, and more! There’s even a junior ranger program for the kids. If historical sites are your jam, you’ve got to check out Fort Union Trading Post
in Williston, an important tribal trading site on the Missouri River during the 19th century. Or go even further back in time to the 18th century when earth lodge people created farming and trading centers along the Missouri River. Learn more by visiting Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
in Stanton. If you’re up for a challenge, check out one of the historic natural trails North Dakota has to offer. The 5,000-mile Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
passes through North Dakota, as does the North Country National Scenic Trail
. MORE: What to look for when buying an RV
Con: brutal winters (and other harsh weather conditions)
With all that natural beauty around you, it’s easy to forget that you’re at the mercy of the nature. If you love cold temperatures, you’re in luck. If not, winter is going to be tough! Since it’s one of the northernmost states, it can see temperatures dip down to -60°F. While you’re adjusting to the freezing conditions, don’t forget to prepare for blizzards.
The summer is a completely different story, with temperatures capable of reaching 121°F—although the summer average is a balmy 67 to 73 degrees. Unfortunately, the wide-open plains are perfect for tornados, and even though North Dakota isn’t typically included in Tornado Alley, it does see at least a few twisters every year.
Pro: affordable healthcare
North Dakota ranks near the middle of the pack in US News Best States for Health Care
, but other studies show the state is near the top for offering great access to medical care. The state has 38 rural hospitals, even though it has fewer rural physicians per 10,000 residents than the rest of the U.S. It’s also got 47 general and acute care hospitals, 37 critical access hospitals, two units of Indian Health Services, and three psychiatric facilities. Overall, North Dakota boasts more primary care physicians per 10,000 residents than the U.S. as a whole.
Maybe this is why North Dakota was ranked the #13 healthiest state in the nation!
Con: Lack of diversity
It’s probably not surprising to learn that a majority of 82.9% of North Dakota is Caucasian. However, the 2020 Census shows that North Dakota is quickly becoming more diverse—back in 2010, the state was 91.6% white.
The second-largest ethnic group is American Indians, making up 4.9% of the population. African Americans accounted for 3% of North Dakota’s population.
These demographics are rapidly changing, though. North Dakota added more than 106,000 residents between the 2010 and 2020 Censuses—many of them immigrants. 4% of all North Dakotans are foreign-born, with that number likely to increase.
If racial diversity is an important factor in where you live, check out cities like Williston
, Watford City
, Fargo
, and Devils Lake. Pro: a tax-friendly state
Finances are a huge part of making a move, so it helps that North Dakota has very low income tax rates, especially for mid-level earners and retirees—we’re talking 1 to 3%. The state even offers a non-refundable credit!
North Dakota doesn’t tax military pensions or social security benefits. Sales tax is average compared with the country, and property taxes aren’t bad. A North Dakota household pays $989 per $100,000.
You’ll see the highest property tax rates in Cass County (home to Fargo), where the average property tax is $2,762. Billings County residents see the lowest rates—only $365 in property tax a year!
Con: High violent crime rates
Low taxes are one thing, but you’ve got to worry about North Dakota’s high rate of violent crime. Although property crime levels have remained the same in the state, violent crime has actually gone up by over 400% in the last thirty years—more than any other state!
Wondering what the most dangerous cities are? Williston tops the list. It’s one of North Dakota’s biggest, most diverse cities, and it boomed in response to oil rigging jobs. The crime rate in Williston is worse than anywhere else in the state, with Fargo close on its heels.
The safest cities all tend to have populations of two or three thousand people (according to FBI crime statistics). We’re talking Hazen, Beulah, Lincoln, Stanley
, and Rugby. Pro: Some of the best roads in the country
Roads might not be first on your mind, but with so much travel time between North Dakota cities, they’re important! North Dakota’s highways rank first in a nationwide report provided by the Reason Foundation
. Safety-wise, North Dakota also leads the country with one highway fatality for every 100 million vehicle miles traveled. Plus, a whopping 93% of North Dakota roads are in good condition. Only Tennessee was higher (with 95%).
MORE: North Dakota road closures
Pro: Iconic food
We’ll wrap up our list with a bonus “pro”—all the delicious food! Like most midwestern states, North Dakota is no stranger to the beloved casserole, called a hotdish out here (North Dakotans are partial to tater tots in theirs).
You’ll also find foods with ties to the state’s German and Scandinavian immigrants. Try delicate lefse, creamy knoephla soup, pungent lutefisk, or sweet kuchen.
For a state that gets such cold winters, it’s no surprise that North Dakotans love their comfort food! Enjoy taco in a bag, cheese buttons, goulash, or a hot ham sandwich.
Is North Dakota a good state to live in?
North Dakota has a lot going for it, but it’s not perfect. We hope we’ve helped you consider some of the perks and drawbacks of living in the Flickertail State, but ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if North Dakota is a good fit.
North Dakota is a great state for:
Families looking for nice neighbors
People who love driving wide, open roads
However, if diversity, job opportunities, and urban life are important to you, you might want to re-evaluate living in North Dakota.
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