At $1,236/mo, rent takes about 15% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,236 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
30% of the median household income ($102,260) is $2,557 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($2,320).
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Watford City. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Watford City, ND is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income above the national average, 18.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Watford City, ND has changed in 5 years
Median household income grew from $76,366 to $102,260 between 2021 and 2024, a 33.9% shift. Headcount in the area went from 5,725 to 6,039 between 2021 and 2024, a 5.5% change. About 70.7% of households rent today, against 54.4% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher slipped from 26.7% to 18.9%.
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Can you afford rent in Watford City on your salary?
At $1,236/mo, how Watford City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Watford City rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Watford City. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Watford City
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Watford City is $1,236/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,130/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,400/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,140/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,690/mo.
At 15% of local median household income ($102,260/yr), Watford City ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Watford City?
How does Watford City rent compare to other cities in North Dakota?
At $1,236/mo, rent takes ~15% of Watford City's median household income ($102,260/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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