We stroke black gold when it comes to finding the best places to live in North Dakota.
The cities we found can have their lutefisk and eat it, too.
How did we determine the best places to live in North Dakota? We used Saturday Night Science to compare the latest Census, FBI, and Zillow data on factors like income, crime, and home prices for the 22 places with 2,000 or more residents.
Several new cities moved into the top ten places in North Dakota this year. These places are booming thanks to the oil found in recent years.
People in North Dakota live 77.9 years on average — 17th in the nation; see how every state stacks up in our life expectancy by state ranking.
$87,652 median income · $307,383 median home · #1 best place in North Dakota
Kudos to Lincoln for holding onto the title of HomeSnacks best place to live in North Dakota for the second year running. Located just southeast of Bismarck, Lincoln has access to all the big-city amenities while retaining its small-town charm. A top spot for locals is nearby Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, a diverse landscape where you can camp or fish beside the Missouri and Heart Rivers.
Don’t let people tell you that Millennials don’t know how to run a successful city, because Lincoln is the youngest city on this list with a median age of 33. The poverty rate is at its 2nd lowest level statewide, sitting at 5.6%. A whopping 97.0% of residents have health insurance, the 2nd highest rate in North Dakota. It’s unlikely you’ll need help with medical bills because of criminal activity, though, seeing as Lincoln has the 2nd lowest crime rate statewide, a rate about 85% below the national average.
The increased demand to live in Lincoln has driven up property values by 10% over the last year. Home prices are already the 9th highest in the state at $307,383. Luckily, Lincoln locals also enjoy the 4th highest median household income statewide at $87,652/year.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$90,665 median income · $348,751 median home · #2 best place in North Dakota
Located in
Cass County, North Dakota
Will you find the 2nd best place to live in North Dakota in West Fargo? You betcha! More than just the movie and its (possibly) tired cliches, West Fargo is a city that encapsulates the can-do frontier spirit of the past while looking to the future. href=”https://www.bonanzaville.org/”>Bonanzaville, part pioneer village and part history museum, is dedicated to honoring the past, while the Red River Valley Fair celebrates the present with exhibitions, live entertainment, attractions, and the best food on a stick you’ve ever had.
The unemployment, poverty, and crime rates in West Fargo all rank within the top ten statewide, so you know the city has all the essentials for a good life sorted out. Schools here consistently outperform the statewide average in test scores and graduation rates. In fact, the city has the 2nd lowest high school dropout rate in North Dakota.
It’s not hard to see why West Fargo is one of North Dakota’s fastest-growing cities. The city has the 3rd highest median household income at $90,665/year and the 4th priciest homes statewide at $348,751. All things considered, though, the cost of living in West Fargo is still pretty much on par with the rest of North Dakota.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$78,387 median income · $369,559 median home · #3 best place in North Dakota
Located in
Burleigh County, North Dakota
North Dakota’s capital city of Bismarck comes in as the 3rd best place to call home in the whole state. The economic, cultural, and historical hub of the region, Bismarck has eclectic dining and entertainment options, as well as fun things to do outdoors. Between fishing or cruising down the Missouri River that runs along Bismarck’s west side, catching a view of the city from its highest point at the State Capitol Building, and getting in touch with your inner-child at the Superslide Amusement Park, there’s something for everyone in Bismarck.
All these awesome amenities contributed to HomeSnacks naming Bismarck one of the best cities for singles in North Dakota. People are copping on to how great Bismarck is, which helps explain why the city has grown by nearly 20% since 2010. That increased demand has led to an increased price in housing, with a nearly 10% spike just last year up to a median home price of $369,559. The job market can handle all these new arrivals though, seeing as the unemployment rate here is under 2%. And besides housing and health care costs, the cost of living in Bismarck is in line with the national average.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$138,578 median income · $392,383 median home · #4 best place in North Dakota
Life’s pretty good in Horace, a southern suburb of Fargo and North Dakota’s 4th best city. While Horace’s population is pretty small at 4,588 people, having North Dakota’s biggest city right up the road means you don’t have to sacrifice key amenities to have a small-town vibe. In just twenty minutes, you can find yourself learning about the history of aviation at the Fargo Air Museum or be watching a pack of wolves frolic at the Red River Zoo.
We just hope you’re comfortable rubbing shoulders with the state’s elite because Horace ranks as the richest place in North Dakota. The median household income is the highest in the state by about 40%, with your typical home bringing in around $138,578/year. Homes in Horace are also the 1st costliest in North Dakota at $392,383, but rent here is only $2,146/month, which is actually less expensive than the statewide median. Poverty, unemployment, and health insurance rates all rank in the top five in North Dakota.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$77,171 median income · $195,800 median home · #5 best place in North Dakota
Carrington is a city of 2,168 and the county seat of Foster County in central North Dakota. Home to some of the best hunting, fishing, birding, hiking, and biking options in the state, Carrington is a non-stop thrill ride for outdoor enthusiasts. For those trying to stop and smell the roses while sipping on some fine wine, the Dakota Sun Gardens and Winery is a must-visit. If hitting the links is your idea of a good time, the local CrossRoads Golf Club won’t disappoint.
With a median age of 40, Carrington is the oldest city we’ll be covering here. The city has the 12th highest rate of residents with health insurance in North Dakota. Older folks in Carrington haven’t forgotten about the next generation, either; GreatSchools gave Carrington High a 9/10 rating with a College Success Award to boot.
The unemployment rate in Carrington is the 8th lowest in the state at 1.4%. As a bonus, Carrington residents enjoy the 3rd shortest commute time in North Dakota at just 11 minutes.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$79,609 median income · $212,691 median home · #6 best place in North Dakota
A flourishing city situated next to Beulah in what’s known as the “power belt” of North Dakota, Hazen ranks as the 6th best place to live for 2026. With two camping areas, easy access to boating at Hazen Bay on Lake Sakakawea, and the Knife River Indian Villages nearby, there’s no shortage of outdoor activities in Hazen.
Hazen isn’t the sort of place where you have to constantly look over your shoulder late at night. We recently named Hazen North Dakota’s safest city, with a total crime rate is roughly 95% lower than the national average.
Hazen High School scored a perfect 10/10 on GreatSchools, so you don’t need to worry about shaping your kids up for college life here. You also won’t have much concern about paying the bills, because the median household income in Hazen is $79,609/year, the 6th highest in North Dakota.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$63,627 median income · $291,535 median home · #7 best place in North Dakota
Located in
Grand Forks County, North Dakota
Grand Forks is widely recognized as one of the best places to live in North Dakota. With a population of 59,042 and a median income of $63,627, Grand Forks offers its residents a high quality of life at a relatively low cost. The median home price in this city is $291,535, making it an affordable option for those looking to settle down.
Situated on the western banks of the Red River of the North, Grand Forks offers a picturesque location within North Dakota. While flooding has historically been a concern in the Red River Valley, the city has taken significant measures to protect against future inundation.
Grand Forks has an abundance of activities and attractions available. Residents can enjoy exploring the vibrant downtown area while outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the city’s proximity to beautiful natural landscapes in the Red River Valley.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$76,848 median income · $236,446 median home · #8 best place in North Dakota
Beulah is a city of 3,040 located an hour and some change northwest of Bismarck. If you’re looking for small-town appeal with big city looks, you’ve found it in Beulah. From museums, community events, and outdoor recreation like you can find at nearby Lake Sakakawea, there’s always plenty to do in Beulah.
Beulah has the 4th lowest crime rate in North Dakota, so safety will never be a concern here. Neither will the local economy, seeing as the poverty rate in Beulah is the 12th lowest statewide at 11.2% and unemployment sits at an incredibly low 2.0%. For all these super qualities, housing in Beulah is fairly affordable, with a typical home selling for $236,446 and your average rental costing about $1,075/month. That’s especially low when you consider that Beulah’s residents also enjoy the 10th highest median household income in the state at $76,848/year. Even better, both income and property values went up by around 10% in the last year.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$73,219 median income · $272,695 median home · #9 best place in North Dakota
Located in
Ward County, North Dakota
With a median household income of $73,219/year and low unemployment at 3.4%, Minot ranks as the 9th best place to live in North Dakota. This city of 47,791 is also affordable, with homes averaging around $272,695.
The real draw is the vibe. Outdoor enthusiasts appreciate the Bison Plant Trail and local parks. Minot delivers small-town charm without the stress of a major metro.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$71,780 median income · $341,688 median home · #10 best place in North Dakota
Located in
Morton County, North Dakota
Mandan, the 8th most populous city in North Dakota and the county seat of Morton County, has a balance of historic charm and contemporary life. It was founded in 1879, named after the indigenous Mandan nation, and is part of the Bismarck-Mandan Metropolitan Area.
With economic indicators such as a median home value of $341,688, a median income of 71,780, and a median rent at $1,083, Mandan’s financial environment is favorable for residents. The city boasts an unemployment rate ranked 9th lowest in the state.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
The receipts
Compare the top ten
Pick a metric. The bars rescale. The red line is North Dakota’s statewide median.
North Dakota statewide median: $76,657
North Dakota statewide median: $284,076
North Dakota statewide median: 2.8%
On the map
Mapping The Best And Worst Places To Live in North Dakota
Saturday Night Science
Methodology: How We Calculated The Best Cities To Live In North Dakota
Before we even started to collect data on the best places to live in North Dakota, we had to answer a tough question: Is it fair to pit cities with populations over 100,000 against places with a population of 18?
We firmly decided no, that just isn’t fair.
So, to create our ranking, we broke the best places to live into three tiers:
- Cities — Populations over 2,000
- Towns — Populations between 1,000 and 2,000
- Small Towns — Populations below 1,000
We then decided no matter how much anyone loves their town, the best cities to live in North Dakota have more of everything, and therefore, you need over 2,000 people to truly be ‘the best.’
Now that we had our set of the best possible cities, it was time to rank them using Saturday Night Science.
We ranked each place in North Dakota across a number of criteria from one to 22, with one being the best.
We then took the average rank across all criteria, crowning the city posting the lowest overall score, the “Best Place To Live In North Dakota.”
The criteria we looked to determine the best places were:
- Median Home Values
- Median Income
- Population Density (Higher is better)
- Unemployment Rate
- Commute Time
- Crime
- Education Levels
- Health Insurance Coverage
- Poverty rates
Sources of criteria include the New Census Data, FBI Crime Data, and Zillow. We updated this article for 2026. This report is our eleventh time ranking North Dakota’s best places to live.
If your city or town isn’t among the top 10, jump down to the bottom of the post to see a detailed chart of the best places in North Dakota. Otherwise, buckle up for a ride down good living lane with Lincoln at the end of the cul-de-sac.
The full plate
Best Places To Live In North Dakota Table
Click any column to sort. Search by city name.
| Rank | City | Best Score | Population | Unemployment Rate | Home Value | Median Income | Rent | Total Crime /100k |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lincoln | 5.20 | 4,381 | 1.1% | $307,383 | $87,652 | 525 | |
| 2 | West Fargo | 6.40 | 40,094 | 1.1% | $348,751 | $90,665 | 1,202 | |
| 3 | Bismarck | 9.30 | 75,556 | 2.5% | $369,559 | $78,387 | 2,677 | |
| 4 | Horace | 9.65 | 4,588 | 0.4% | $392,383 | $138,578 | 4,324 | |
| 5 | Carrington | 9.90 | 2,168 | 1.4% | $195,800 | $77,171 | 231 | |
| 6 | Hazen | 9.90 | 2,453 | 2.4% | $212,691 | $79,609 | 625 | |
| 7 | Grand Forks | 10.80 | 59,042 | 2.4% | $291,535 | $63,627 | 2,632 | |
| 8 | Beulah | 11.30 | 3,040 | 2.0% | $236,446 | $76,848 | 625 | |
| 9 | Minot | 11.40 | 47,791 | 3.4% | $272,695 | $73,219 | 1,695 | |
| 10 | Mandan | 11.60 | 24,522 | 1.5% | $341,688 | $71,780 | 2,891 | |
| 11 | Dickinson | 11.65 | 25,357 | 3.2% | $319,458 | $82,696 | 1,968 | |
| 12 | Bottineau | 12.25 | 2,205 | 1.7% | $248,609 | $65,905 | 2,686 | |
| 13 | Fargo | 12.30 | 131,627 | 3.8% | $314,973 | $66,998 | 4,324 | |
| 14 | Stanley | 12.65 | 2,097 | 1.3% | $233,786 | $109,573 | 1,621 | |
| 15 | Williston | 12.70 | 28,056 | 4.9% | $365,979 | $79,381 | 2,670 | |
| 16 | Jamestown | 12.80 | 15,787 | 4.9% | $208,863 | $56,554 | 1,330 | |
| 17 | Grafton | 13.15 | 4,102 | 0.8% | $156,085 | $62,679 | 634 | |
| 18 | Rugby | 13.20 | 2,481 | 0.5% | $201,611 | $50,365 | 2,686 | |
| 19 | Casselton | 13.30 | 2,953 | 0.9% | $308,545 | $73,259 | 4,324 | |
| 20 | Lisbon | 13.60 | 2,259 | 3.5% | $167,422 | $64,327 | 930 | |
| 21 | Wahpeton | 14.10 | 8,010 | 1.7% | $229,172 | $62,750 | 2,422 | |
| 22 | Devils Lake | 15.85 | 7,308 | 1.7% | $236,273 | $43,220 | 2,686 |
Source: U.S. Census ACS 2020-2024, FBI UCR, Zillow research. 22 places with more than 2,000 residents.
Summary
Summary: The Best Places In North Dakota
If you’re looking at areas in North Dakota with the best economic situations, where there’s lower than average crime, and a lot to do, this is an accurate list.
The best places to live in North Dakota are Lincoln, West Fargo, Bismarck, Horace, Carrington, Hazen, Grand Forks, Beulah, Minot, and Mandan.
Lincoln made a strong showing to take in the overall number one spot for the best place to live in North Dakota for 2026. Not sold on North Dakota? Take the two-minute Find Your Place quiz and see which state actually fits you.
Questions and answers
Best Places To Live In North Dakota FAQs
What is the best place to live in North Dakota?
Lincoln is the best place to live in North Dakota for 2026. It pairs a $87,652 median household income with a $307,383 median home value. West Fargo and Bismarck round out the top three.
What are the 10 best places to live in North Dakota?
The ten best places to live in North Dakota are Lincoln, West Fargo, Bismarck, Horace, Carrington, Hazen, Grand Forks, Beulah, Minot, and Mandan. We ranked all 22 places with more than 2,000 residents across nine criteria, from home values to commute times.
How expensive is it to live in the best parts of North Dakota?
The median home across the ten best places runs $299,459, versus $284,076 statewide. Quality shows up in the price tag; in Lincoln the typical home costs $307,383.
What is the worst place to live in North Dakota?
Devils Lake lands at the bottom of this ranking, making it the worst place to live in North Dakota by the numbers. The full ordering of all 22 places is in the table above.
How do you rank the best places to live in North Dakota?
We score every North Dakota place with more than 2,000 residents on nine criteria covering jobs, housing, safety, and daily life, using Census American Community Survey and FBI crime data. The place with the best average rank, Lincoln, wins for 2026.
