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Minot, ND

Cost of living in Ward County, ND

Part of the Minot Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,853/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 69,232 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $808 28%
Federal tax $598 21%
Healthcare $480 17%
Groceries $322 11%
Transport $320 11%
Energy $199 7%
State tax $76 3%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Ward County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$721
per month
1 bedroom
$808
per month
2 bedroom
$1,040
per month
3 bedroom
$1,457
per month
4 bedroom
$1,746
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Ward County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$79,273
per year
Individual earnings
$46,638
per year
Per capita
$42,299
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Ward County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$259,100
Annual property tax
$2,785

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Ward 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 Ward County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
6.1%

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 Ward 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 Ward County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
19.0 min
Drive alone
79.2%
Public transit
0.1%
Work from home
5.6%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Ward County

What it costs to live in Ward County each month.

Single person
$2,853
per month
  • Rent $808
  • Energy $199
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $322
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $598
  • State tax $76
Couple
$4,253
per month
  • Rent $1,040
  • Energy $239
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $534
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $967
  • State tax $129
Family
$6,801
per month
  • Rent $1,457
  • Energy $298
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $810
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $967
  • State tax $129

Frequently asked questions about Ward County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Ward County?

In Ward County, ND, a one-bedroom apartment averages $808 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,040 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,457 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Ward County?

In Ward County, ND, the average household income is $79,273 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $46,638 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Ward County?

The estimated cost of living in Ward County, ND is approximately $2,853 per month for a single person, $4,253 for a couple, $6,801 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Ward County?

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

Is Ward County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Ward County, ND would need approximately $2,853 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $79,273 per year ($6,606 per month). Ward County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Ward County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Ward County, ND is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 6.1% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Ward County?

The average home value in Ward County, ND is $259,100, with average annual property taxes of $2,785, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Ward County compare to other areas?

You can compare Ward County, ND with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Ward County is in the Minot, ND metro area.

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 Ward 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