| Index | Mandan | North Dakota | National |
| Cost of living | 103 | 95 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Housing | 115 | 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 |

Understanding the cost of living in Mandan can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Mandan cost of living index is 103, which is 3% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
The cost of living in Mandan 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. Mandan 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.
Is Mandan affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Mandan, for instance, where the median home price falls 24.3% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 6.9% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Mandan flaunting a median household income of $106,570, 31% higher than the national norm.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Mandan, healthcare costs are 1.4% lower 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 Mandan, the transportation index stands at 5.8% lower than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.
The Mandan 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 | $135,042 | $11,254 | $3,151 | $4,052 |
| Renters | $63,209 | $5,267 | $1,475 | $1,896 |
| 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. |
| Bismarck, ND | 75,566 | 106 | 5.6% |
| Lincoln, ND | 4,225 | 106 | 5.7% |
| Harmon, ND | 236 | 141 | 41.2% |
| Mandan, ND | 23,353 | 103 | 2.8% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Hastings, MN | 23,352 | 105 | 4.5% |
| Griffin, GA | 23,351 | 91 | 8.5% |
| Jasmine Estates, FL | 23,361 | 95 | 5.3% |
| Allison Park, PA | 23,344 | 110 | 10.3% |
| Webster Groves, MO | 23,373 | 115 | 15.5% |
| Mandan, ND | 23,353 | 103 | 2.8% |