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North Dakota

Cost of living in Nelson County, ND

Estimated monthly cost
$2,769/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 3,015 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $827 30%
Federal tax $568 21%
Healthcare $480 17%
Groceries $322 12%
Transport $250 9%
Energy $199 7%
State tax $73 3%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Nelson County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$807
per month
1 bedroom
$827
per month
2 bedroom
$928
per month
3 bedroom
$1,300
per month
4 bedroom
$1,558
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Nelson County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$68,051
per year
Individual earnings
$44,795
per year
Per capita
$38,484
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Nelson County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$114,500
Annual property tax
$919

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Nelson County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$139
per month · 12.6¢/kWh
Natural gas
$60
per month
Annual total
$2,388
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Nelson County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
4.7%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Nelson County

State and local tax rates for North Dakota.

State income tax
1.9%
Flat rate
State sales tax
5.0%
Combined sales tax
7.0%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Nelson County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
19.7 min
Drive alone
67.0%
Public transit
0.1%
Work from home
8.4%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Nelson County

What it costs to live in Nelson County each month.

Single person
$2,769
per month
  • Rent $827
  • Energy $199
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $322
  • Transport $250
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $568
  • State tax $73
Couple
$3,870
per month
  • Rent $928
  • Energy $239
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $534
  • Transport $350
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $784
  • State tax $111
Family
$6,373
per month
  • Rent $1,300
  • Energy $298
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $810
  • Transport $450
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $784
  • State tax $111

Frequently asked questions about Nelson County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Nelson County?

In Nelson County, ND, a one-bedroom apartment averages $827 per month, a two-bedroom averages $928 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,300 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Nelson County?

In Nelson County, ND, the average household income is $68,051 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $44,795 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Nelson County?

The estimated cost of living in Nelson County, ND is approximately $2,769 per month for a single person, $3,870 for a couple, $6,373 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Nelson County?

The combined sales tax rate in Nelson County, ND is 6.97%, which includes the North Dakota state rate of 5.00% plus an average local rate of 1.97%.

Is Nelson County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Nelson County, ND would need approximately $2,769 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $68,051 per year ($5,671 per month). Nelson County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Nelson County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Nelson County, ND is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 4.7% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Nelson County?

The average home value in Nelson County, ND is $114,500, with average annual property taxes of $919, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Nelson County compare to other areas?

You can compare Nelson County, ND with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Nelson County is in North Dakota.

Other counties in North Dakota

Browse the full list of counties in North Dakota, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in North Dakota

Compare Nelson County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources