Best Cities for Remote Workers in North Dakota
North Dakota ranks #5 of 50 for remote workers, with a remote workers score of 73.2. West Fargo is its best city for remote workers at 69.0.
- North Dakota, all states
- #5 of 50
- Population
- 40,094
Why North Dakota Works for Remote Workers
North Dakota ranks #5 out of 50 for remote workers — one of the best environments in the country for location-independent professionals. Remote work fundamentally changes the relocation calculus: when your salary comes from elsewhere, what matters is how far it stretches locally and how good daily life feels. On that front, North Dakota's cost-of-living index of 89 is well below the national average — a remote worker earning a coastal salary here gains significant purchasing power.
The relatively low work-from-home rate of 7.1% suggests that remote work is still emerging — coworking options and community may be thinner. Broadband subscriptions reach 90.7% of households, below the 50-state average — check service at a specific address, especially in rural areas.
The tax environment is favorable at 6.61% of income, letting remote workers keep more of their earnings. Housing affordability (score: 84/100) is a clear advantage — the typical home is worth $292,293, putting homeownership well within reach.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Remote Workers
| # City | Grade | Remote Workers score | Overall | Affordability | Economy | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1West Fargo | A+ | 69.0 | 69.3 | 76 | 70 | 40,094 |
| 2Horace | A+ | 68.4 | 69.0 | 60 | 90 | 4,588 |
| 3Williston | B+ | 67.7 | 60.4 | 80 | 62 | 28,056 |
| 4Dickinson | B+ | 67.6 | 62.7 | 82 | 64 | 25,357 |
| 5Grand Forks | A | 66.7 | 63.9 | 83 | 58 | 59,042 |
| 6Minot | B+ | 64.8 | 62.1 | 83 | 60 | 47,791 |
| 7Watford City | B+ | 64.0 | 61.3 | 72 | 59 | 6,039 |
| 8Fargo | B+ | 61.9 | 62.0 | 80 | 57 | 131,627 |
| 9Beulah | B+ | 61.6 | 60.1 | 84 | 36 | 3,040 |
| 10Bismarck | B+ | 60.0 | 61.8 | 78 | 64 | 75,556 |
| 11Wahpeton | C+ | 58.2 | 54.4 | 89 | 24 | 8,010 |
| 12Grafton | C+ | 56.8 | 54.9 | 90 | 24 | 4,102 |
| 13Minot AFB | C+ | 56.1 | 53.7 | 77 | 24 | 4,878 |
| 14Lincoln | B | 55.6 | 58.0 | 80 | 46 | 4,381 |
| 15Jamestown | C+ | 54.6 | 53.2 | 87 | 19 | 15,787 |
| 16Devils Lake | C | 53.8 | 50.0 | 90 | 7 | 7,308 |
| 17Casselton | C | 53.2 | 52.1 | 81 | 33 | 2,953 |
| 18Mandan | C+ | 52.1 | 53.2 | 79 | 32 | 24,522 |
| 19New Town | F | 49.8 | 42.0 | 86 | 15 | 2,721 |
| 20Valley City | C | 48.9 | 52.2 | 89 | 22 | 6,541 |
City remote workers scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out.
Compare: States with Similar Remote Workers Rankings
Also See: North Dakota for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is North Dakota a good state for remote workers?
North Dakota ranks #5 out of 50 for remote workers with a persona-weighted score of 73.2/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (84/100) and its weakest is Environment (39/100).
What is the best city for remote workers in North Dakota?
West Fargo ranks #1 in North Dakota for remote workers with a score of 69.0/100, followed by Horace and Williston.
What factors are most important for remote workers in North Dakota?
Rankings weighted toward affordable cost of living, strong economy, outdoor access, livability, low taxes, and safe communities — what remote workers prioritize when choosing where to live.