North Dakota is the 36th US state and the second-least populous (after Wyoming) state in the Union. It is bordered by Canada to the north, and by the states of Montana and Minnesota to the south and east, respectively. According to the 2010 Census, 692,567 people were living in the state. The population decline in recent years has been attributed to a poor economy and high unemployment. State officials say that without intervention, the state will lose a significant number of residents to other states, thus compromising the socioeconomic and fiscal stability of the state. If you consider moving to North Dakota, in this article you can read some information that might be important for you to know.
Housing
The Cost of Living Council reports that the housing market in North Dakota is stable overall. However, the price of residential real estate is rather high. According to one report, the price-earnings (PER) ratio of single-family homes in North Dakota is 25.4, compared to the average of 16.7 for the U.S. and 17.7 for the state of North Dakota. Other reports state that the average list price for homes in North Dakota is $128,500 and that the average home price is $97,950.
Rents in North Dakota are relatively high, too. According to one report, the average rental price nationwide is $1,394 per month. In North Dakota, that figure is $1,746 per month.
Transportation
The transportation market in the state is also costly. The average car payment in North Dakota is $429 per month, and the average cost of filling up a gas tank is $2.42. According to the federal government, the cost of commuting to work in North Dakota is high, too.
The situation is made worse by the low gas tax in the state. According to one report, the state tax on gasoline and diesel fuel is only 3.9 cents per gallon, compared to the average federal tax of 18.4 cents per gallon. That amounts to a significant cost difference that will only grow as gas prices rise.
Health Care
The health care market in North Dakota is also expensive. According to the federal government, the cost of health insurance is high. In some cases, it can even reach 40% of household income. In addition to health insurance premiums, the costs of medical bills and prescriptions are also significant in the state.
Groceries
Finally, let’s not forget about the cost of groceries in North Dakota. According to the federal government, the average family spends about $13,000 per year on groceries. It is important to note that this does not include special diets or eating habits that some families may have, which can add $3,000 to that figure. For example, the family of four in North Dakota described in the previous section would spend $27,400 on food and drink each year if they followed the typical American diet, which is very high in sodium and other fats.
To determine how much your daily bread costs in North Dakota, simply refer to the Department of Agriculture’s website, where you can find the average cost of a loaf of bread, based on the region and the time of year.
Now, you might be wondering how much all of this adds up. Remember, these are average figures and do not take into account the relative differences in the cost of living across regions in the state. To find the total yearly cost of living in North Dakota, we will need to multiply the figures from each of the previous categories.
Utilities
The electric bill for the average home in North Dakota is about $180 per month. For heat, the figure is $125 per month, and for water, it is about $67 per month. These bills will vary significantly by region in the state, so be sure to look at the community where you will live before making any commitments. In addition to utilities, your home in North Dakota will also have internet service fees, which vary by provider but can average anywhere from $40 to $60 per month. In some regions of the state, such as the Fargo area, you will pay no internet service fee at all because the providers are either regulated by the government or offer discounts to low-income families.
As a result of all of these costs, it is no wonder that many families are struggling to make ends meet. It is important to look for the silver lining here. At least, you can be certain that you will not be hurting for money. You will have plenty to spend on everyday needs and wants, such as food, shelter, and transportation.
