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City Report · ND

Watford City

Pop. 6,039·4th most expensive in North Dakota·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,322/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+2.6%
vs US Median
-$643
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Watford City · $1,322
More affordable than 86% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
16% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,322/mo, rent takes about 16% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$53,000/yr
Local median income
$102,260/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Watford City's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,130
1 BR
$1,140
2 BR
$1,400
3 BR
$1,690
4 BR+
$2,320
Research median
$1,400/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$15,864/yr
At $1,322/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (0.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +2.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
6,039
Median income
$102,260
Median age
28.8
Renters
70.7%
Age distribution
29.7%
36.1%
22.3%
Under 1829.7%
18–3436.1%
35–5422.3%
55–646.8%
65+5.1%
Gender
55.9%
44.1%
Male55.9%
Female44.1%
Race & ethnicity
76.5%
24.5%
White76.5%
Black2.5%
Hispanic24.5%
Asian0.9%
Education (25+)
13.2%
30.3%
37.6%
18.9%
No HS diploma13.2%
HS diploma30.3%
Some college37.6%
Bachelor's+18.9%
Housing tenure
29.3%
70.7%
Owner29.3%
Renter70.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Watford City, ND has changed in 5 years

Income
$76,366 → $102,260
up 33.9%
Population
5,725 → 6,039
up 5.5%
Renter share
54.4% → 70.7%
+16.3 pts
Bachelor's+
26.7% → 18.9%
-7.8 pts

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%.

Community

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View Watford City rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Watford City on your salary?

At $1,322/mo, how Watford City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Watford City rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Watford City. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Watford City

About renting in Watford City, ND

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Watford City is $1,322/mo as of July 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 16% 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.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Watford City an affordable city for renters?

Watford City is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,322/mo, rent takes approximately 16% of the local median household income ($102,260/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Watford City falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Watford City?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $53,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,322/mo in Watford City. The local median household income is $102,260/yr, meaning the typical Watford City household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Watford City?

Rent in Watford City has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Watford City rent compare to other cities in North Dakota?

Watford City is one of the pricier cities in North Dakota for rent, ranking #4 out of 11 tracked cities at $1,322/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Watford City?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Watford City ($1,322/mo): Williston ($1,256/mo), Dickinson ($1,278/mo).

What percentage of Watford City residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 70.7% of Watford City households are renters, while 29.3% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Watford City has a strong rental market.

How does Watford City rent compare to the national average?

Watford City's median rent of $1,322/mo is $643 (33%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Dakota, it ranks #4 out of 11 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
16%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,322/mo, rent takes ~16% of Watford City's median household income ($102,260/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Watford City 16%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.1–2.5%
Run the Watford City affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Watford City, ND

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