Skyline of Minot
Cost of Living: 90 48,000

Minot, ND, US

Magic City with Minot Air Force Base, the Scandinavian Heritage Park, and the State Fair.

Updated September 12, 2026

Overview

Minot is a city in ND with a population of 48,000. Magic City with Minot Air Force Base, the Scandinavian Heritage Park, and the State Fair. Housing costs are close to the national average. The overall cost of living is below the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 4b growing zone supports Cold — cool-season crops, hardy perennials. The population skews young, with a median age of 33.6.

Last updated: September 12, 2026

Cost of Living 90

Below Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 92

Affordable

Median Income $55,000

Household income

Unemployment 2.5%

Job market health

Minot vs US Average

Cost of Living
Minot: 90
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Minot: 92
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Minot: 2.9%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 2.9%
  • Sales Tax: 5.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $55,000
  • Unemployment: 2.5%
  • Population: 48,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 200/year
  • Summer High: 82°F
  • Winter Low: 5°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 4b

Housing

  • Median Home: $240,000
  • 1BR Rent: $950/mo

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Cost of Living

Minot's cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100).

CategoryMinotNational AverageDifference
Overall90100-10.0%
Housing92100-8.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$240,000
Median Rent (1BR)$950/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,188/mo
Price per Sq Ft$160

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Minot:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$71Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$96Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$35Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$75Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$25Private service
Total Utilities$302Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Minot scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 90
Rent
— $950
Sunny Days
— 200
Tax
— 2.9%
Unemployment
— 2.5%
Climate
— 82°F / 5°F
Safety
— 5.8 homicides/100k
Population
— 48,000
Internet Speed
— 200 Mbps

Climate

Minot has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January25°F5°F2.5"
April67°F20°F2.8"
July82°F57°F1.5"
October62°F23°F2.2"
USDA Zone 4b

Cold — cool-season crops, hardy perennials

Natural Hazards

Minot faces the following natural hazards:

Tornado High Risk

Tornado Alley with frequent tornadoes.

Blizzard High Risk

Severe winter storms and blizzards.

Drought High Risk

Frequent drought conditions.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Wildfire risk in grassland areas.

Flood Moderate Risk

River flooding (Red River).

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 2.9%
  • Sales Tax: 5%
  • Property Tax: ~0.98% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 2.5%.

Schools & Education

94/100
School Quality Score
Better than 88% of US cities
?
20
Total Schools
4.6:1
Student:Teacher
75.1%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Universities & Higher Education

1
Universities
#1938
Top University Rank

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Demographics

The population of Minot is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Asian
1.9%
Black or African American
4.7%
Hispanic or Latino
7.2%
Native American
1.6%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
0.1%
Other
0.1%
Two or more races
5.0%
White
79.4%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
29.9%
High school graduate
29.3%
Less than high school
5.3%
Some college
35.5%

Religion

Christian
70.0%
Other
5.0%
Unaffiliated
25.0%

Data source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) (2023)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Minot, ND, US?

The cost of living index in Minot is 90, which is Lower the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Minot?

The median home price in Minot is $240,000. The housing index is 92.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Minot is approximately $950/mo.

Does Minot, ND have income tax?

Minot is in ND, which has an income tax rate of 2.9%.

What is the climate like in Minot?

Minot enjoys approximately 200 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 82°F, while winter lows can drop to around 5°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.