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Cost of Living & Affordability: Minot, ND

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

Cap Rate
2.55%
Median Price
$260K
Rent/Mo
$990
1% Rule
0.38%
Fails

Housing Affordability

Minot's price-to-income ratio is 4.7x — homes cost 4.7 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 Minot (20% down at 7%) is approximately $1,729/mo for principal and interest alone — add taxes and insurance and the all-in payment reaches roughly $2,028. The median rent of $990/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 Minot is $55,133, with a population of 50,000 growing at 1% per year. Minot 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

Minot 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 Minot Compares

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

Metric
Minot
North Dakota Avg
National Avg
Cap Rate
2.55%
2.76%
3.81%
Median Price
$260K
$284K
$333K
Median Rent
$990
$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
Minot, ND
2.6%
$260K
$990
0.98%
Detroit, MI
3.9%
$260K
$1,460
1.54%
Ames, IA
2.3%
$260K
$1,050
1.5%
Warren, MI
4.1%
$260K
$1,460
1.44%
Sterling Heights, MI
4.2%
$260K
$1,460
1.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Minot affordable for renters?
Renters in Minot 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 Minot?
Minot's price-to-income ratio is 4.7x, meaning homes cost 4.7 times the local median income. This is moderate — some residents can buy, many choose to rent.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Minot?
A mortgage payment (20% down, 7% rate) on the median $260K home is approximately $1,383/mo before taxes and insurance. Adding those costs brings it to roughly $1,682/mo. The median rent of $990/mo is less than the cost of buying — this gap supports continued rental demand.
How does Minot's cost of living compare to the national average?
Home prices in Minot ($260K) are 22% below the national average. Rents ($990/mo) are 35% below average. Property taxes (0.98%) are below the 1.08% national average.
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Explore Minot & Related Markets

More Minot Guides

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

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