Rows tagged local are specific to Moorhead (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Fargo, ND. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 6/10 (district Moorhead Area Public Schools · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
89.1
metro-area
#20 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
97.0
metro-area
#119 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.07
metro-area
#17 of 200 metros
Median household income
$68,680
local
#2273 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$35,840
local
#2533 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
33.0 years
metro-area
#14 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
42.2%
metro-area
#23 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
6.9%
metro-area
#122 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
55.5%
metro-area
#192 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
4.92%
local
#1666 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+6.3%
local
#1083 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$234,300
local
#875 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
3.4×
local
#1144 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+3.2%
metro-area
#44 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$130
local
#924 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,800 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$997
local
#425 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
863
Median days on market
23
metro-area
#134 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
12.1%
state
#26 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
8.10%
state
#85 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
9.85%
Capital gains tax
9.85%
state
#45 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Taxed — taxes Social Security benefits, but income thresholds and age rules exempt many retirees — check the state's own limits before assuming you would owe
Effective property tax rate
1.21%
local
#2059 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$2,824
local
#1154 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
78.8 years
metro-area
#38 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,800
state
#129 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
6.6%
metro-area
#53 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
79
metro-area
#87 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$16,000
state
#58 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$200
state
#107 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
1.58% of value (~$442/yr)
state
#1 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
5
Avg commute to work
18 min
local
#61 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
78.4%
metro-area
#152 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
12.7%
metro-area
#1 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
16.4¢/kWh
state
#1 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$148
state
#1 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.15/gal
state
#63 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$76
state
#69 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$77
state
#24 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$81
state
#190 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$2,200
state
#124 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,600
state
#18 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
80.1 — Relatively Low
metro-area
#26 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$600
state
#41 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
38
metro-area
#25 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
500
metro-area
#13 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
94%
state
#87 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
8,900
metro-area
#199 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
12
metro-area
#54 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
0
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
84°F
metro-area
#37 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
-2°F
metro-area
#200 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
22.6"
metro-area
#39 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
50.0"
metro-area
#179 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
57%
metro-area
#121 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
4a
Frost window
05-25 → 09-20
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
280
state
#27 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,900
state
#95 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
16
metro-area
#190 of 200 metros
Parks
31
Hiking areas
3
Golf courses
9
Shooting ranges
2
Lakes
4
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
3
state
#1 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Moderate
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.