Every week, my team and I take a look at what people are actually searching for when it comes to North Dakota living, affordability, and real estate.

The search trends tell a clear story: buyers, relocators, and investors are all asking the same core questions. This week, I want to answer five of the most common ones and give you a real-world view of what it’s like to live and invest in North Dakota - especially here in the west.

What is the best area to live in North Dakota?

It really comes down to what you value. Western North Dakota continues to attract people for a reason. Williston and Watford City offer high earning potential, strong rental markets, and a growing mix of amenities, restaurants, and outdoor options. If you’re after a more traditional metro feel, Bismarck and Fargo check the box with larger hospitals, universities, and more diverse career paths. For families, young professionals, and investors, Williston remains one of the most opportunity-rich cities in the state because of its steady economic engine and wide range of housing options.

Is real estate good in North Dakota?

Short answer: yes and it’s still one of the best value markets in the country. You get a rare combination of affordability, stable appreciation, solid rent-to-price ratios, and demand driven by energy, agriculture, and logistics. Here in Western North Dakota, rental vacancy stays low and investor returns regularly outperform many national markets. Whether you’re buying your first home, picking up land, or building a rental portfolio, the fundamentals in North Dakota are strong.

Is it expensive to live in North Dakota?

Compared to the national averages, North Dakota is still very competitive on cost of living.

Housing is affordable relative to local incomes, and day-to-day expenses - utilities, groceries, transportation - usually come in below national median levels. Even in fast-growing areas like Williston, the cost of living is manageable, which makes it easier to save, invest, and build long-term wealth.

If you’re looking to stretch your housing budget without sacrificing quality of life, North Dakota is hard to beat.

How much money do you need to live comfortably in North Dakota?

Most households find that a combined income in the $55,000–$75,000 range allows for a comfortable lifestyle, depending on the city and the type of housing you choose. Western North Dakota often offers higher average wages, especially in and around the energy sector, so many residents are above those “comfort” numbers. When you pair strong wages with affordable housing, you get one of the few markets where you can earn well and still enjoy a lower cost of living.

Which US state has the lowest cost of living?

Rankings move around from year to year, but North Dakota consistently shows up near the top when it comes to low cost of living and strong purchasing power. Affordable housing, reasonable taxes, manageable utility costs, and competitive wages combine to give residents more breathing room than in many other states. When people ask, “Where does my money go further?” North Dakota is almost always in that conversation.

Why These Answers Matter Right Now

Buyers want affordability.

Investors want strong rental markets.

Families want stability.

Professionals want good wages and a reasonable cost of living.

North Dakota checks all of those boxes. That’s why more people are relocating here, buying here, and investing here every year—especially in Western North Dakota.

If you’re thinking about:

• Buying a home

• Securing an investment property

• Relocating to North Dakota

reply to this email and we’ll set up a strategy session. We’ll walk through the data, your goals, and the specific areas that best fit your budget, lifestyle, and long-term plan.