A+
8%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
21%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Jamestown North Dakota National
Cost of living9294100
Goods & Services9896100
Groceries9493100
Health care113111100
Housing7985100
Transportation100100100
Utilities9199100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Jamestown, ND

The cost of living in Jamestown affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Jamestown is 92, which is 8% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

The cost of living in Jamestown is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, goods and services and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.

Is Jamestown Affordable?

Is Jamestown an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Jamestown, the median home price is 18.2% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 27.5% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Jamestown come in at $49,846, which is 9.9% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Jamestown?

Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.

Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday goods and services, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Jamestown, the standard sales tax rate starts at 5%, and the income tax rates commence at 1.1%.

Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Jamestown, the housing index comes in at 21% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Jamestown displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Jamestown is 2% lower than the North Dakota average
  • The cost of living in Jamestown is 8% lower than the national average
  • Jamestown housing is 21% lower than the national average
  • North Dakota general sales tax is 2% lower than the national average
  • North Dakota state income tax is 58% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Jamestown

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Compare Jamestown, ND Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$68,770$5,731$1,605$2,063
      Renters$31,635$2,636$738$949
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Jamestown is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Jamestown has a median income of about $68,770 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,605 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $31,635. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $738 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      North Dakota Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      North Dakota 5% 8%

      North Dakota Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      North Dakota 1.1% 2.9%

      Goods & Services

      Item Jamestown National avg. Difference
      Haircut $23.67$24.262.5%
      Beauty Salon $42.24$45.567.3%
      Toothpaste $4.05$3.709.3%
      Shampoo $1.10$1.2814.1%
      Movie $12.00$12.131.1%
      Bowling $15.33$18.0014.8%

      Groceries

      Item Jamestown National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.29$5.849.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.38$1.5712.3%
      Milk $4.49$4.674.0%
      Potatoes $4.63$4.936.2%
      Pizza $12.39$12.092.5%
      Beer $10.56$10.411.4%

      Health Care

      Item Jamestown National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $122.20$125.682.8%
      Doctor $182.31$135.7834.3%
      Dentist $115.17$113.291.7%
      Ibuprofen $10.21$10.654.2%
      Lipitor $544.10$468.6016.1%

      Housing

      Item Jamestown National avg. Difference
      Home Price $151,100.00$184,700.0018.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,313.86$2,346.691.4%
      Apartment Rent $688.00$949.0027.5%

      Transportation

      Item Jamestown National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.34$3.463.5%
      Tire Balancing $64.60$59.927.8%

      Utilities

      Item Jamestown National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $166.66$193.9914.1%
      Phone $192.28$192.250.0%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Spiritwood Lake, ND142964.1%
      Ypsilanti, ND28972.7%
      Spiritwood, ND0964.1%
      Montpelier, ND867623.7%
      Buchanan, ND53909.5%
      Jamestown, ND15,216928.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Lake Country, BC15,217n/a 
      Front Royal, VA15,2141099.2%
      Hudson, MA15,22213535.3%
      West Lincoln, ON15,222n/a 
      Canmore, AB15,222n/a 
      Jamestown, ND15,216928.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.