North Dakota
North Dakota ranks #6 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 78.1/100 and a A grade. Its strongest category is Affordability (85/100) and its weakest is Environment (39/100).
How Does North Dakota Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in North Dakota
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | Horace | A+ | 67.6 | 3,964 | $145,801 | — | — |
| 99 | West Fargo | A+ | 63.8 | 39,325 | $96,877 | 207.2 | — |
| 135 | Williston | A | 62.2 | 27,964 | $84,309 | 469.9 | — |
| 148 | Lincoln | A | 61.8 | 4,309 | $83,387 | 68.2 | 92 |
| 214 | Bismarck | B+ | 59.8 | 75,102 | $75,846 | 315.5 | 89.6 |
| 246 | Minot AFB | B+ | 59.0 | 4,904 | $65,571 | — | — |
| 274 | Dickinson | B+ | 58.3 | 25,216 | $76,964 | 272.6 | — |
| 279 | Grand Forks | B+ | 58.0 | 58,882 | $63,838 | 265.1 | 86.2 |
| 320 | Minot | B+ | 57.3 | 47,922 | $77,431 | 387.8 | — |
| 321 | Watford City | B+ | 57.3 | 6,016 | $88,351 | 332.4 | — |
| 340 | Fargo | B+ | 56.8 | 132,400 | $61,422 | 522.8 | 89.4 |
| 341 | Beulah | B+ | 56.8 | 3,058 | $84,417 | 131.6 | — |
| 404 | Grafton | B | 55.2 | 4,128 | $60,184 | 146.3 | — |
| 422 | Valley City | B | 54.8 | 6,554 | $56,471 | 61 | 95 |
| 511 | Casselton | C+ | 52.7 | 2,640 | $68,472 | — | — |
| 579 | Jamestown | C+ | 51.4 | 15,774 | $54,809 | 197.2 | — |
| 598 | Mandan | C+ | 50.9 | 24,293 | $75,966 | 345.2 | — |
| 605 | Wahpeton | C+ | 50.7 | 7,996 | $57,417 | 274.5 | — |
| 646 | New Town | C+ | 49.7 | 2,725 | $50,707 | — | — |
| 764 | Devils Lake | C | 46.5 | 7,170 | $42,755 | 307.4 | — |
Best Cities in North Dakota for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lincoln | 70.3 | 81.6 | 98.9 | 77.2 |
| 2 | West Fargo | 66.0 | 67.0 | 84.0 | 69.5 |
| 3 | Horace | 65.3 | 64.4 | 71.1 | 66.1 |
| 4 | Grafton | 65.3 | 81.6 | 85.1 | 76.9 |
| 5 | Valley City | 65.2 | 64.3 | 94.0 | 83.4 |
More Midwest States
North Dakota Rankings Overview
North Dakota earns an overall grade of A with a composite score of 78.1 out of 100, ranking #6 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Affordability (85/100) while its biggest challenge is Environment (39/100).
Economy & Employment in North Dakota
With an unemployment rate of 2.2% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), North Dakota performs above average on economic indicators. The median household income is $72,583, which ranks below the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in North Dakota
North Dakota's violent crime rate of 267 per 100,000 residents places it in the top half of states for public safety.
Health & Education in North Dakota
North Dakota ranks #18 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #10 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in North Dakota is 79 years, and the high school graduation rate is 89%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in North Dakota
North Dakota's total tax burden is 6.61% of personal income, which is below the national average of 8.74%. The top marginal income tax rate is 2.5%. The effective property tax rate is 0.99% and the combined state and local sales tax rate is 7.09%.
Housing & Affordability in North Dakota
The median home price in North Dakota is $281,000, below the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 89 (where 100 equals the national average), making it a more affordable state. The price-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
Environment in North Dakota
North Dakota has a median air quality index of 38 (EPA AirData), better than the national average. 41% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources, an above-average share. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 52.7 (above average risk).
Growth & Migration in North Dakota
North Dakota's population growth rate is +0.8% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is -0.4 per 1,000 residents. 98% of households have broadband internet access, among the best-connected states.
Best Cities in North Dakota
The top-ranked cities in North Dakota based on our composite scoring are Horace, West Fargo, and Williston. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in North Dakota.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is North Dakota's overall ranking?
North Dakota ranks #6 out of 50 states with a composite score of 78.1/100 and a grade of A.
Is North Dakota a good place to live?
North Dakota ranks among the top-performing states in America with a composite score of 78.1/100. Its strengths in areas like economic opportunity and public safety make it an attractive place to live for many residents.
What is the crime rate in North Dakota?
The violent crime rate in North Dakota is 267 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does North Dakota's economy compare?
North Dakota's median household income is $72,583 with an unemployment rate of 2.2%. The unemployment rate is below the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is below the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in North Dakota?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in North Dakota are Horace, West Fargo, and Williston.
How does North Dakota rank for families?
North Dakota ranks #8 of 50 states for families with a score of 84.1/100. This is a top-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does North Dakota rank for retirees?
North Dakota ranks #7 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 78.4/100. This is a top-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does North Dakota rank for remote workers?
North Dakota ranks #5 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 72.9/100. This is a top-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.