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Best Cities for Rental Property in North Dakota

8 North Dakota cities ranked by estimated cap rate. The average cap rate across North Dakota markets is 2.8%, with median home prices averaging $284K and rents averaging $1,126/mo. Jamestown leads with a 3.3% cap rate at a $225K median price. Property taxes average 0.98% across North Dakota markets.

2.8%
Avg Cap Rate
$284K
Avg Price
$1,126/mo
Avg Rent
8
Cities Tracked

North Dakota Rental Market Analysis

North Dakota offers 8 investable rental markets tracked by CapRateCity. The state average cap rate of 2.8% is near the 3.81% national average. No cities pass the 1% rule at median prices, so value-add strategies are essential.

Prices and rents: North Dakota home prices average $284K, which is 15% below the national average of $333K. Rents average $1,126/mo. The most affordable entry point is Wahpeton at $215K, while Jamestown offers the highest cap rate at 3.3%.

Taxes and costs: Property taxes average 0.98% across North Dakota, below the 1.08% national average — a meaningful cash flow advantage that adds roughly $284 per year to NOI on an average-priced property. Bismarck has the lowest rate at 0.96%.Vacancy averages 5.2%, tighter than the national average — favorable for landlords.

Growth outlook: Population growth across North Dakota averages 1.00% per year, led by Fargo at 1.5%. Home values are appreciating at 2.4% annually on average. Moderate growth provides a stable demand foundation.

Bottom line: North Dakota is primarily an appreciation market. Cash flow investing requires below-median purchases or value-add strategies. Consider whether the growth and appreciation potential justifies tighter margins.

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How North Dakota Compares to National Averages

Metric
North Dakota
National Avg
Avg Cap Rate
2.8%
3.8%
Avg Home Price
$284K
$333K
Avg Rent
$1,126/mo
$1,524/mo
Property Tax
0.98%
1.08%
Vacancy Rate
5.2%
5.6%
Pop. Growth
1.00%/yr
0.92%/yr

North Dakota Cities by Cap Rate Tier

3% – 4% (2)Below 3% (6)

All 8 North Dakota Cities Ranked

1
Jamestown, ND3.3% cap rate
$225K median$1,000/mo rent0.98% tax1% growth
2
Grand Forks, ND3.2% cap rate
$265K median$1,170/mo rent1% tax0.5% growth
3
Dickinson, ND2.8% cap rate
$310K median$1,250/mo rent0.98% tax1% growth
4
Wahpeton, ND2.8% cap rate
$215K median$860/mo rent0.98% tax1% growth
5
Bismarck, ND2.6% cap rate
$345K median$1,330/mo rent0.96% tax1% growth
6
Williston, ND2.6% cap rate
$340K median$1,300/mo rent0.98% tax1% growth
7
Minot, ND2.6% cap rate
$260K median$990/mo rent0.98% tax1% growth
8
Fargo, ND2.2% cap rate
$315K median$1,110/mo rent0.98% tax1.5% growth

Other Midwest States

Illinois (17 cities · 4.4% avg)Indiana (25 cities · 4.0% avg)Michigan (22 cities · 3.9% avg)Kansas (14 cities · 3.8% avg)Ohio (27 cities · 3.7% avg)Missouri (17 cities · 3.3% avg)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is North Dakota a good state for rental property investing?
North Dakota has an average cap rate of 2.8% across 8 cities. The best-performing city is Jamestown at 3.3%. Average home prices of $284K offer affordable entry points. Property taxes at 0.98% are investor-friendly.
What is the best city to buy rental property in North Dakota?
Jamestown leads North Dakota with a 3.3% cap rate, $225K median price, and $1,000/mo rent. The best city depends on your strategy — cash flow investors should look at the top of this ranking, while growth-focused investors may prefer Fargo (1.5% population growth). Use the calculators on each city page to model specific deals.
What are property taxes like in North Dakota?
Property taxes in North Dakota average 0.98%, which is below the 1.08% national average. The lowest rate is in Bismarck at 0.96%. On an average-priced home of $284K, annual taxes are approximately $2,787.
How many North Dakota cities pass the 1% rule?
0 of 8 North Dakota cities (0%) pass the 1% rule at median prices. None pass at median prices, meaning investors should target below-median properties or use value-add strategies to improve returns. The 1% rule says monthly rent should be at least 1% of purchase price.

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