| Index | Dickinson | North Dakota | National |
| Cost of living | 104 | 95 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Housing | 120 | 86 | 100 |
| Transportation | 94 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 103 | 104 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 95 | 97 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 96 | 98 | 100 |

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Dickinson is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Dickinson is 104, which is 4% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
The cost of living in Dickinson aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, household expenses, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Dickinson residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the Dickinson cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 20.3% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
Is Dickinson affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Dickinson, the median home price is 31.3% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 5.4% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Dickinson boasting a median household income of $98,230, 20.8% higher than the national average.
Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Dickinson, the transportation index stands at 5.8% 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 household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Dickinson, the standard sales tax rate starts at 5%, and the income tax rates commence at 1.1%.
Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Dickinson comes in at 2.8% higher than the national average.
The Dickinson cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $143,044 | $11,920 | $3,337 | $4,292 |
| Renters | $72,955 | $6,080 | $1,702 | $2,189 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| North Dakota | 5% | 8% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| North Dakota | 1.1% | 2.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Gladstone, ND | 273 | 96 | 4.2% |
| South Heart, ND | 459 | 108 | 8.4% |
| Dickinson, ND | 23,614 | 104 | 4.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Kihei, HI | 23,616 | 176 | 75.8% |
| Crystal, MN | 23,618 | 105 | 4.8% |
| Farragut, TN | 23,607 | 123 | 23.3% |
| Eastmont, WA | 23,603 | 148 | 48.2% |
| East San Gabriel, CA | 23,601 | 185 | 84.8% |
| Dickinson, ND | 23,614 | 104 | 4.4% |