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MarketsNorth DakotaJamestownCost of Living & Affordability

Cost of Living & Affordability: Jamestown, ND

Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for Jamestown, ND

Cap Rate
3.28%
Median Price
$225K
Rent/Mo
$1,000
1% Rule
0.44%
Fails

Housing Affordability

Jamestown's price-to-income ratio is 4.1x — homes cost 4.1 times the local median household income of $55,133. This is moderately affordable. A healthy portion of the workforce can still aspire to homeownership, but many find renting more practical — creating a solid tenant base of working professionals.

Rent vs Buy Analysis

A typical mortgage payment on a median-priced home in Jamestown (20% down at 7%) is approximately $1,496/mo for principal and interest alone — add taxes and insurance and the all-in payment reaches roughly $1,755. The median rent of $1,000/mo is significantly less than buying — this rent-vs-buy gap is one of the strongest indicators of sustainable rental demand. When renting is cheaper than buying, the renter pool stays deep and vacancy stays low.

Income & Employment

The median household income in Jamestown is $55,133, with a population of 50,000 growing at 1% per year. Jamestown is a smaller market. Research the local employment base carefully — smaller cities can be significantly impacted by a single employer's decisions. Moderate population growth indicates a stable economic foundation.

What This Means for Investors

Jamestown is affordable with moderate returns. Focus on volume — the low entry point lets you scale to multiple properties faster than in more expensive markets.

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How Jamestown Compares

Jamestown vs North Dakota state average and national average across key investment metrics. Jamestown's cap rate is below both benchmarks — deal sourcing is critical here.

Metric
Jamestown
North Dakota Avg
National Avg
Cap Rate
3.28%
2.76%
3.81%
Median Price
$225K
$284K
$333K
Median Rent
$1,000
$1,126
$1,524
Property Tax
0.98%
0.98%
1.08%
Vacancy
5.2%
5.2%
5.6%
Pop. Growth
1%/yr
1%/yr
0.9%/yr

Nearby Midwest Markets

City
Cap Rate
Price
Rent
Tax
Jamestown, ND
3.3%
$225K
$1,000
0.98%
South Bend, IN
5.3%
$225K
$1,390
0.86%
Champaign, IL
3.8%
$225K
$1,310
2.04%
Cape Girardeau, MO
3.0%
$225K
$1,010
1.25%
Garden City, KS
2.0%
$225K
$820
1.38%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jamestown affordable for renters?
Renters in Jamestown spend approximately 22% of median household income on rent. This is within the standard 30% affordability threshold, suggesting renters have room in their budgets. The median household income is $55,133, below the level needed for comfortable renting.
What is the price-to-income ratio in Jamestown?
Jamestown's price-to-income ratio is 4.1x, meaning homes cost 4.1 times the local median income. This is moderate — some residents can buy, many choose to rent.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Jamestown?
A mortgage payment (20% down, 7% rate) on the median $225K home is approximately $1,197/mo before taxes and insurance. Adding those costs brings it to roughly $1,456/mo. The median rent of $1,000/mo is less than the cost of buying — this gap supports continued rental demand.
How does Jamestown's cost of living compare to the national average?
Home prices in Jamestown ($225K) are 33% below the national average. Rents ($1,000/mo) are 34% below average. Property taxes (0.98%) are below the 1.08% national average.
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Explore Jamestown & Related Markets

More Jamestown Guides

Rental Property Investment GuideRent AnalysisProperty Tax GuideAppreciation & Growth ForecastNeighborhood Investment Guide

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