Ward County, ND at a glance
Median household income
$78,238$6,520 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearHow much rent can you afford in Ward County, ND?
HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.
How much is rent in Ward County, ND? By bedroom, 2026
HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Ward County, ND HUD Metro FMR Area, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $806 | $9,672 | $32,240 | 12.4% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $960 | $11,520 | $38,400 | 14.7% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,165 | $13,980 | $46,600 | 17.9% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,620 | $19,440 | $64,800 | 24.8% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,954 | $23,448 | $78,160 | 30% |
What a typical income covers in Ward County, ND
The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $78,238 a year ($6,520 a month before tax).
What $78,238 leaves after North Dakota taxes
Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and North Dakota tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.
Rent, jobs and pay in North Dakota
Living in Ward County, ND: common questions
What is the median household income in Ward County, ND?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Ward County, ND is $78,238 per year (approximately $6,520 per month).
What is the average rent in Ward County, ND?
The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $806 for a studio, $960 for one bedroom, $1,165 for two, $1,620 for three and $1,954 for four, utilities included.
It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.
Is Ward County, ND expensive to live in?
Prices there run 13% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 87.0, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Ward County, ND?
To keep a $1,165 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $46,600 a year, or $3,883 a month. That is 60% of what the typical household in Ward County, ND earns.
How much do you need to live comfortably in Ward County, ND?
On the local median income of $78,238 ($6,520 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $3,260 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,956 for everything else and $1,304 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,165 takes 36% of the needs share.
How much is the electric bill in Ward County, ND?
Homes in North Dakota paid 14.1¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $127. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.