An Overview of Cost of Living in Minot, ND
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Minot? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Minot stands at 102, making it 2% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
Everyday expenditures like food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care in Minot are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Minot can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.
What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Minot?
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 12 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Minot and this is how they responded. 67% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 33% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is Minot Affordable?
Is Minot 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 Minot, the median home price is 14.2% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 7.1% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Minot come in at $64,401, which is 16.4% higher than the national average.
What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Minot?
Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Minot, the utilities index stands at 3% lower than the national average.
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 Minot, the standard sales tax rate starts at 5%, and the income tax rates commence at 1.1%.
Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Minot, is 7.8% higher than the national average.
Where is the Data From?
The Minot cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.